THRISSUR POORAM-2012

THRISSUR POORAM-2012

The world famous  Thrissur Pooram will be celebrated on May 1, 2012 with all its traditional gusto. This annual festival is held at Thrissur town in Kerala. Poorams are festivals held in Hindu temples in Kerala and the highlights being caparisoned elephants and panchavadyam – a classical performance of five musical instruments. Thrissur Pooram is referred as Poorangalude Pooram Thrissur Pooram – it means festival of all festivals. The Thrissur Pooram festival consists of the arrival of caparisoned elephants from the surrounding temples to the sprawling ground of Vadakumnathan Temple. The most important processions are that of the Thiruvambadi Krishna Temple and the Paramekkavu Devi Temple. Apart from the two major temples, eight minor temples participate in the pooram - their arrival is referred as Cheru Poorams.

It must be noted that Vadukumnathan Temple, dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, remains a spectator during the festival. Vadakumnathan (Shiva) receives the respects from the 10 temple deities but does not take part in the Pooram.By noon crowds build in large numbers at Thekkinkadu Maidan (ground) with the `Madathil Varavu' procession of the Thiruvambady Sri Krishna Temple. Then the Paramekkavu Devi procession along with the accompaniment of Pandimelam enters the Vadakkunnathan temple. The scintillating and highly appreciated ‘Elanjithara melam’ (a classic performance of musical instruments) begins when the procession reaches the elanji tree inside the temple compound.

The excitement reaches its zenith when the processions of the Thiruvambady Shri Krishna and Paramekkavu Devi temples face each other at the Thekkegopura Nada area. The `kudamattom' session held here is the highlight of the Thrissur Pooram. In the ‘kudamattom’, the two sides engage in a competitive display of colorful umbrellas of various designs.

The famous fireworks display is scheduled for next day early morning. The Pooram will come to an end with the farewell ritual of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples at about noon on next in front of the Vadakkunnathan temple.

                                          Prof. John Kurakar