Thrissur Pooram

Pooram is the most colorful of all the temple festivals of Kerala. It is celebrated in Thrissur at Vadakkumnathan temple .Thrissur Pooram, the festival of all festivals, falls in April(Medam) every year.Thekkinkadu Maidan is the major venue of Thrissur Pooram. Sakthan Thampuran was responsible for introducing this festival.

The two devaswams – Thiruvampadi and Paramekkavu – make this annual festival a memorable one. The festival starts with the procession (ezhunellippu) .The dazzling Elanjithara Melam begins when the procession reaches the Elanji tree inside the temple compound.

In the evening, 30 caparisoned (നെറ്റിപ്പട്ടം) elephants, with 15 on either side, stood facing each other in a wonderful ceremony called the 'Kudamattam'.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. Pancharimelam, Pandimelam and Panchavadyam are very attractive. The spectacular fire works last for three to four hours and are held late in the night.This festival is probably the only festival in Kerala that attracts such large masses of people to a single event.

Thrissur Pooram Images