Thrissur Pooram, adjudged by UNESCO as the most spectacular festival event on the planet, is held each year at Thrissur. Previously known as Trichur, this town is in the central part of Kerala. Thrissur is the gateway to the famous Guruvayur Krishna temple.
Elephants standing during Thrissur pooram festival in Kerala state of south India.
Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in the Malayalam local calendar month of “Medam” which normally comes in Mid of April to May. Pooram is hosted by Vadakkumnathan temple, Thrissur. It is conducted at the “Thekkinkadu Maidanam” which when translated means “the ground of teak forests”.
Little Poorams from nearby eight temple starts the beginning of the Pooram which lasts for 36 hours.
“Panchavadyam”, cultural display of instrumental music using five percussion and wind instruments, creates a magical effect of on the audience.
An array of up to 15 elephants are lined up by each group, decorated with colorful golden “Nettipattam” (or Elephant Caparison in English) with Colorful umbrellas , complete with “alavattam” and “venchamaram”; typical decorative costumes used in Kerala festivals. If you are wondering what all these mean, in plain English this means, each elephant will have an umbrella, fans made out of peacock feathers and a bunch of yak tail, which are held in hand by those seated on top the elephant. These are swayed rhythmically to the tune of the music played.
The main Pooram is between the Paramekkavu Bhagavathy temple and Thiruvambadi Bhagavathy temple, each of these two temples have the Hindu deity Parvati,the wive of Lord Shiva (the deity at Vadakumnathan Temple).
Thrissur Pooram is also very famous across the world for its magnificent display of fireworks lasting all through the night.
It is to be seen to believe the magnificence of marvelous event. Are you going to book your tickets to attend this year’s Thrissur Pooramm? Take your mobile and call your travel agent. Hotel rooms are fast getting exhausted!
How do I Go to Thrissur Pooram?
Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport and Thrissur is the nearest railway station. Thrissur is well connected by road also. Thrissur is around 300 kilometers from the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram.