Thrissur Pooram, the mother of all festivals and Poorams in Kerala, is a bewitching ceremony to witness. Thekkinkadu Maidanam is always the venue of this auspicious and grand festival that usually takes place in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May). During the festival, all the presiding deities of the neighbouring temples make their glorious and majestic processions to Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur with Thiruvambnadi Sree Krishna and Paramekkavu Bhagavathy representing the major groups. One week-long festival is enjoyed by all people from different parts of the state and country regardless of their religion and caste.
Pooram ceremonies start with Kodiyettam, where the flags are being hosted on the temple masks. Madathil Varavu denotes the ceremony of deities being taken out of their temples and proceeded to Vadakkumnathan Temple accompanied with hundreds of devotees and 15 caparisoned elephants. All these days the Thekkinkadu Maidanam will be filled with hawkers busy with business, elephants being fed, and there are shops set by Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples that exhibit items used to decorate elephants for Poorams, Aana Chamayam. This definitely includes Nettipattam, the headgear of elephants, Venchamaram, whisks made of Yak hair, Muthu Kuda, colourful umbrellas etc.
If you would like to be a part of this enthusiastic ceremony, be present in Thekkinkadu Maidanam on Pooram day to witness, Kudamattam ceremony. Kuda means “umbrella” and mattam means “change”. It is a competition of exchanging colourful umbrellas on top of the elephants, held between two teams of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu. It is the most exciting vision that must be experienced once in a lifetime. Thrissur inhabitants can’t even think of passing a year without attending Thrissur Pooram.
Ilanjithara Melam, is yet another event of Thrissur Pooram where about 250 artists participate in the performance of traditional instruments. This ritualistic orchestra is often led by Chenda artists. Thousands of devotees gathered around the ilanji tree are mesmerized in rhythmic music, hence attaining a musical bliss. The final day of the ceremony is known as Pakal Pooram, when the deities of other temples bid farewell with the promise of meeting next year. One can hear Kalasakottu, the final beating of drums marking the end of the festivals followed by Vedikettu or the bursting of crackers. All the people attending this communal harmony are given Poora Kanji, which is a special porridge given to the devotees marking the end of the ceremonies.
Kerala is undoubtedly the land of many cultural festivals and Thrissur Pooram is the greatest of all. Thrissur Pooram is such an enormous festival celebrated with much pomposity and marvellous sights. The experience of being in this festive mood will leave a long-lasting distinct impression in your hearts that never fades away.
