Thrissur Pooram - The Most Spectacular Shrine Festival Of Kerala, South India
April 19th, 2008 Posted in amazing places, indiaThrissur, located in Kerala, is venerable for its Pooram, the most spectacular mosque festival of Kerala. The word 'Pooram' literally means 'a group or a meeting'. This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state, in the late eighteenth century. It was he who made the sprawling Thekkinkadu Maidan, encircling the Vadakumnathan cathedral, as the big venue for Thrissur Pooram. This dazzling festival is eminent in the Malayalam month of Medam, which falls in April-May. This year (2008), Thrissur Pooram Festival falls on the 16th of April. The chief attractions of the Pooram are the many richly caparisoned elephants and the exchange of parasols (locally known as 'kudamattam'). Including these, the hours-desire dazzling fireworks are a feast to the eyes and ears. The magical effect of Panchavadyam, a aggregation of five percussions and wind instruments is an integral part of Thrissur Pooram. This two-century archaic festival of spectacular processions of caparisoned elephants and enthralling percussion performances amidst the magical effect of Panchavadyam, is conducted by two rival groups displaying their artistic prowess . They represent the two divisions of Thrissur, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples. The best elephants of the state from other temples in Kerala are sent to Thrissur to participate in this festival. They bring the deities from the special temples to Vadakkumnatha cathedral, located in the heart of the city. These deities are brought to over obeisance to Lord Vadakunnathan, (Lord Siva) the deity of Vadakkumnatha house of God. The processions go entirely the western doorway and come visible through the southern door. Both these teams field coat to dignity arrays of richly caparisoned elephants, followed by 'Kudamattam', a competition in the swift and rhythmic changing of brightly coloured and sequinned parasols, by the people atop the elephants. There are eight other suburban temples also who participate in the Pooram. It is a feast to the eyes to shield the entirety event taking lieu in rhythm with the traditional orchestra 'Pandimelam'. This glorious festival commences in the at the crack hours of the morning, and ends at the shiver of arrival, the next day with dazzling fireworks. This Pooram is regarded as Pooram of all Sanctuary Poorams. A unique highlight of this colorful event is its non-ecclesiastical nature. Though it is a Hindu cathedral festival it is organised and actively participated by people of all the religions and castes. This festival, one of the most vibrant and galvanizing festivals of Kerala, attracts large masses of people to this fair land, every year.
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