The most colourful temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram,
attracts large masses of devotees and spectators form all parts of
the State and even outside.
Celebrated
in Medom (April-May) it consists of processions of richly caparisoned
elephants from various neigbouring temples to the Vadakunnatha temple,
Thrissur. The most impressions are those from the Krishna temple at
Thiruvambadi and the Devi temple at Paramekkavu, both situated in
the town itself. This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran,
the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state. The Pooram festival is also
well-known for the magnificent display of fireworks. It is celebrated
by two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissur Paramekkavu
and Thiruvambadi vying with each other in making the display of fireworks
grander and more colourful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum
of fifteen elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure
the best elephants in South India and the most artistic parasols,
several kind which are raised on the elephants during the display.
The commissioning of elephants and parasols is done in the utmost
secrecy by each party to excel the other. Commencing in the early
hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn,
the next day.
During the festival, a competition is held on the elephants as riders
exchange their parasois at an incredible speed. In the unique procession,
the central elephant carries an image of the deity around the Vadakkumnatha
Temple. The evening celebrations consist of special offerings made
to the temple by households, along the route of procession the city
is beautifully decorated with, illuminations and grand fire work displays.
There is also 'Panchavadya' competition, which attracts a lot of people
every year. Large number of people from different parts of Kerala
usually come and participates in these celebrations.
Of the
rival groups participating in the Pooram, the most important ones
are those from Pramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. At the close of the Pooram
both these groups enter the temple through the western gate and come
out through the southern gate to array themselves, face to face, one
from the round and other form the Municipal Office road. This spectacle
is highly enchanting. Although this grand festival is known as Thrissur
Pooram, it is in fact the conclusion of the eight -day Utsavam of
nine temples.
The procession
of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkunnatha Temple
and back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The marvelous
as well as magical effect of the Panchavadyam, a combination of five
percussion and wind instruments, is to be felt and enjoyed.
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