Nettipattam Onam Pookalam Design – Flowers Used, Color Combination & Design Outline

Onam is Kerala’s most celebrated harvest festival, and Pookalam (floral rangoli) is one of its most cherished traditions. Every day of the festival, families create beautiful floral designs using fresh flowers to welcome King Mahabali and celebrate prosperity, happiness, and togetherness.

This Nettipattam Onam Pookalam Design is inspired by the Kerala Nettipattam, the traditional golden caparison adorning elephants during temple festivals such as Thrissur Pooram. The design combines Kerala’s cultural heritage with the vibrant beauty of fresh flowers, making it an excellent choice for homes, schools, colleges, offices, and Onam Pookalam competitions.

Nettipattam Onam Pookalam Design

The highlight of this Pookalam is the beautifully crafted Nettipattam (Elephant Caparison) at the center, surrounded by symmetrical floral patterns in white, yellow, orange, red, and purple. The layered circular arrangement creates a traditional yet elegant appearance that reflects the festive spirit of Onam.

This design is suitable for beginners as well as experienced Pookalam artists and can be completed by a small group within a few hours.

Flowers Used in This Pookalam

The following flowers are commonly used to recreate this Nettipattam Onam Pookalam.

Note: Depending on flower availability in your region, similar flowers with matching colors can also be used.

Flower Color Combination

This traditional design uses a vibrant festive color palette:

• 🟣 Purple
• 🔴 Red
• 🟠 Orange
• 🟡 Yellow
• ⚪ White
• 🟢 Green

These colors create excellent contrast and highlight the Nettipattam at the center.

Pookalam Pattern Description

The design consists of multiple circular layers that create a balanced and symmetrical appearance.

Outer Border

A circular purple floral border frames the entire Pookalam.

Second Ring

A red floral ring enhances the richness of the design.

Decorative Petal Layer

Alternating orange and yellow diamond-shaped petals form the main decorative ring.

White Petal Layer

White flower petals create a lotus-like pattern surrounding the center.

Inner Circle

The center is filled with white flowers bordered by a thin purple floral ring.

Center Motif

The traditional Kerala Nettipattam (Elephant Caparison) is created using orange flowers with yellow decorative accents and a purple outline.

Approximate Flowers Required

For a 4–5 ft diameter Pookalam:

The quantity may vary depending on the final size of your Pookalam.

Meaning of the Nettipattam

The Nettipattam is one of Kerala’s most recognizable cultural symbols. It is traditionally used to decorate elephants during temple festivals and ceremonial processions. In an Onam Pookalam, it represents:

• Kerala’s rich cultural heritage
• Prosperity and abundance
• Royal elegance
• Divine blessings
• Celebration and festive spirit

Including the Nettipattam in a Pookalam adds a unique Kerala identity to the floral artwork.

Difficulty Level

• Difficulty: Medium
• Time Required: 2–3 Hours
• People Required: 2–4
• Ideal For: Homes, Schools, Colleges, Offices, Apartments, Temples, and Onam Competitions

Pookalam Design Outline

To help you recreate this traditional Nettipattam Onam Pookalam, we’ve included the design outline below. The outline serves as a simple reference for maintaining the correct proportions and symmetry while arranging the flowers. Follow the pattern to create a neat and attractive Pookalam for your Onam celebrations.