On the Trail of the Blooms

Can we ever think of Onam without pookkalams—floral carpets that brighten homes, offices, schools, colleges, and public spaces from Atham to Uthradam?

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These designs, made with layers of flower petals, are a symbol of joy and celebration. They are also a tribute to legendary King Mahabali, who is believed to visit his people during this time.

In the past, children collected native flowers in yam leaves at dawn and sang cheerful songs like Poove Poli. These flowers, freshly plucked from backyards and fields, found their place in the morning's pookkalam. But times have changed. Flowers that once grew abundantly in Kerala's villages—thumba, thechi, mukkutti, kannanthali, krishnakireedam—are now rare. Today, most pookkalams are decorated with jamanthi, dahlia, chendumalli, arali, and roses brought in from other states.

Floral Extravaganza As Thiruvonam approaches, markets across Kerala burst into color. Makeshift stalls line the streets with heaps of yellow, white, red, and orange blooms. Buyers crowd these stalls, bargaining for the right price. While these sights add to the festive mood, not many realize that most of these flowers are not from Kerala at all.

Each year, more than 400 tonnes of flowers are brought in from neighboring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for the 10 days of Onam. Flower merchants and wholesalers depend heavily on these imports to meet the rising demand, as local flower cultivation cannot keep pace.