{"id":1090,"date":"2019-05-02T11:47:41","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T11:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.kalyanhomes.in\/blog\/?p=1090"},"modified":"2023-05-08T11:23:56","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T05:53:56","slug":"thrissur-pooram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.kalyanhomes.in\/blog\/thrissur-pooram\/","title":{"rendered":"Thrissur Pooram"},"content":{"rendered":"

Known as the festival of festivals, Thrissur Pooram is a spectacle of much grandeur, a tradition of over 100 years. This spectacular event was the brainchild of the erstwhile ruler of Kochi \u2013 Raja Ravi Varma who is also known as Sakthan Thampuran. The festival is held in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May), and the events take place at the Vadakkumnathan temple situated in the heart of Thrissur town and the adjoining Thekkinkadu ground.<\/p>\n

The pooram festival mainly happens between two groups namely Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. The richly caparisoned elephants, Kudamattom or the swift changing of brightly coloured and embellished umbrellas, accompanied by Panchavadyam or the traditional orchestra, dazzling fireworks and the exuberant cheering of the crowd \u2013 as the
\ncompetition between the two groups tighten, more the festivity and the fun, endless.<\/p>\n

\"Thrissur<\/p>\n

How it all started<\/h2>\n

Before Thrissur Pooram, the only other Pooram that existed in Kerala was the Arattupuzha Pooram, which was held kilometres away from Thrissur. Ages ago, one day, many couldn\u2019t take part in the Arattupuha Pooram on time because of the heavy rains that drenched the God\u2019s own Country. As they were late they weren\u2019t allowed to enter the temple premises. The people informed Shakthan Thampuran of this matter and as a reward to his people; he decided to start another Pooram of his own. Thus a more extravagant and larger Pooram was born, which people all across Kerala celebrate today as Thrissur Pooram.<\/p>\n

Poorachamayam \u2013 Artefacts involved<\/h2>\n

Everything used for the Pooram is freshly made every year from scratch, such as the Nettipattam \u2013 golden elephant caparisons, Chamayam \u2013 elephant accoutrements, Aalavattom \u2013 ornamental fan made of peacock feathers, Venchamaram \u2013 royal fan, sacred bells and decorative umbrellas which are the eye-catchy and peculiar features of the Pooram. These items are made and supplied by Muslims and Church authorities near-by, which shows the
\nsecular nature of the festival.<\/p>\n

Poorakazhcha \u2013 Observances<\/h2>\n

The seven day long festival begins with kodiyettam or the flag hoisting. The other days are dedicated to the preparation of the Pooram. The Pooram celebration starts early morning with the Kanimangalam sasthavu ezhunellippu. The procession takes the representation of the Goddess of Thiruvambadi to Brahmaswam Mutt. The arrival of the procession to the mutt is accompanied by panchavadyam called madathil varavu. It is one of the most awaited
\nPooram event performed by 200 odd artists with thimila, madhalam, kombu or trumpet, ilathalam aka cymbal and edakka. The Pooram sets out of Paramekkavu temple by noon with the accompaniment of one-hour long chembada melam and the beautiful Ilanjithara melam \u2013 which is the orchestra consisting of chenda, kombu, nadaswaram and ilathalam
\nheld in front of the Ilanji tree. Then comes Thekkotirakkam or the meeting of the two temple groups of Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu for Kudamattom (exchange of colourfully crafted parasols). To the end of the melam, both Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu sides stay in face to face as they exchange colourful and crafted umbrellas competitively at the top of the elephants. As part of the farewell ceremony, the idols from Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples are taken back to the respective temples. The festivities continue with the major fireworks at early morning, the pakal pooram held on the next day and the grand fireworks following it. Finally, the Pooram celebrations conclude with the ceremonial departure called upacharam cholli piriyal.<\/p>\n

Thrissur pooram is a must-attend festival in Kerala and a true sight to behold. The world famous aesthetics of the pyrotechnics should be witnessed at least once in a lifetime. Thrissur Pooram is the only occasion where you get to see more than 50 elephants, all decorated with caparisons beautifully aligned in a row amidst an ocean of people. People all over the world attend the festival with no restriction on gender, race or religion.<\/p>\n

How to reach?<\/h2>\n