Trichur Pooram
The biggest and the most colourful temple festival of Kerala, the Thrissur Pooram is a stunning mixture of magnificence and spectacle. Celebrated every year in the month of Medam (mid-April to mid-may), Trichur Pooram is called ‘the pooram of all poorams' (festivals). The festival is a grand assembly of Gods and Goddesses who make their visit to the Vadakumnathan Temple premises on caparisoned elephants, together with the majestic ensembles of Chenda Melam and Pancha Vadyam. Festival Started by Shakthan Thampuran Sakthan Thampuran, the then ruler of Cochin, united the 10 temples situated around Vadakkunnathan Temple and organized the celebration of Thrissur Pooram. The celebrations last for over 36 hours and also include parasol displays and firework shows. The dazzling display of fireworks starts in the early hours and last for three to four hours.
The Ten participants of the Pooram are
1) Thiruvambady Bhagavathi
2) Paramekkavu Bhagavathi
3) Nethilakkavu Bhagavathi
4) Karamukku Bhagavathi
5) Ayyanthole Bhagavathi
6) Laloor Bhagavathi
7) Choorakkattukavu Bhagavathi
8) Chembukkavu Bhagavathi
9) Panamukkumpally Sastha
10) Kanimangalam Sastha
Paramekkavu Vs Thiruvambadi
Among the processions of richly caparisoned elephants, the most impressive processions are those of Thriuvambadi Bhagavathy from the Thiruvambadi Sree Krishna Temple and the Paramekkavu Bhagavathi from Paramekkavu Temple. Two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissur - Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi, compete with each other in making the display of fireworks grand and more colorful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants. Each party secures the best elephants in South India and also the most artistic and colorful parasols, which are raised on the elephants during the display. Festival Commences on Next Morning The celebrations commence in the early hours of the morning and last till the break of dawn, the next day. Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments, and Pandimelam are other highlights of the festival. Millions of people gather at the Thekinkadu Maidanam to celebrate the Pooram.
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