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Thrissur Pooram is a Malayalam festival celebrated annually at Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur. This festival is observed on Pooram day, when the moon rises with the Pooram star in the month of Medam. This Pooram is the largest and most famous of all Poorams.
On this festival various temples in and around Thrissur are invited with their deities to city of Thrissur to pay homage to Lord Vadakkunnathan, the presiding deity of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. A huge procession is organized at temple premises accompanied by the music of Chenda Melam and Pancha Vadyam. This Pooram festival is a good collection of over 50 elephants decorated with various golden ornaments.
Thrissur is situated in the centre of Kerala and is known as the cultural capital of the State. It spans an area of about 66.15 sq. km. and is built around a hillock overlooking the city. The centre of the city has one of the largest roundabouts in the world. The name Thrissur is derived from Thiru-Shiva-Perur, which literally means the City of the Sacred Siva. In ancient days, Thrissur was also known as Vrishachala (Vrisha means Nandikeswara) and as Kailasam, the abode of Lord Siva in the South.
Thrissur is known as the land of Poorams (festivals) and Thrissur Pooram is referred to as the festival of all festivals and is celebrated at the famous Vadakkunnathan Temple. Thrissur has two other well-known temples including Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples. Vadakkunnathan temple is believed to have been founded by Lord Parasurama. The main temple complex is spread over nine acres encircled by 64 acres of land calledThekkinkadu or forest of teakwoods, though there is no forest there now. The four Gopurams (gateways) of the temple are beautifully carved out of wooden pillars incorporating rare architectural techniques. The temple has been declared a national monument by the Union Government under the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act. According to legend, the parents of Adi Shankaracharya came to Thrissur and observed bhajan for 41 days and as a result Vadakkunnathan was born to them as Shankara. Adi Shankaracharya himself, after his earthly mission, is said to have shed his mortal body here.
The festival commences with the procession (ezhunellippu) of the Kanimangalam Shasta in the morning. The procession is a custom that signifies the visit of Devi from the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples. Apart from the two major temples, eight minor temples also participate in the Pooram. It must be noted that Vadukunnathan Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, remains a spectator during the festival granting the premises and convenience for the festival. No offering is received nor is any expenditure incurred by the temple in connection with the Pooram. Not even a special puja is offered on the occasion.
The festival highlights include a spectacular pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants brought from various temples of Kerala and a competition in the swift rhythmic changing of brightly coloured and sequined parasols (Kudamattom). In the Kudamattom, the two sides engage in a competitive display of colorful umbrellas of various designs. The procession of the caparisoned elephants is commonly known as ‘Aana Chamayal Pradarsana.
The traditional percussion ensembles such as Pancharimelam, Pandimelam and Panchavadyam provide a extremely appropriate accompaniment to the visual treats. Glittering fireworks light up the sky to provide a grand finale to the classic entertainment. The spectacular fire works by two rival groups representing Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi last for three to four hours and are held late in the night. From last year, the fireworks are environmental friendly with less deafening sound and more of colour.
By noon, the crowds assemble in large numbers at the Thekkinkadu Maidan with the procession of Thiruvambady Sri Krishna Temple. The procession of the Paramekkavu Devi along with the accompaniment of Pandimelam also enters the Vadakkunnathan temple. The dazzling and highly appreciated classic performance of musical instruments called Elanjithara Melam begins when the procession reaches the Elanji tree inside the temple compound. The excitement reaches its pinnacle when the processions of the Thiruvambady Shri Krishna and Paramekkavu Devi temples face each other. The festival ends with a farewell programme for the deities of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams. This festival is probably the only festival in Kerala that attracts such large masses of people to a single event.
Kerala, the “God’s Own Country” is a land of colours! Be it the nature’s ‘green’ shade romancing the ’emerald’ backwaters, the ‘golden’ rays of the sun caressing the clear ‘white’ sands, or the ‘azure’ sky calling for the mystical ‘hues’, Kerala showcases all the colours of Mother Nature! Well, if you want to explore all these shades and colours of the nature, you must your Kerala trip during any of the fairs and festivals in Kerala! It is during the fairs and festivals; the entire of the state unites together, removes all the religious and communal barriers, to celebrate every moment with full vigour and enthusiasm. No matter what background they are from, the way these locals celebrate the fairs and festivals in Kerala, it simply creates an everlasting memory in the minds of everyone!
