Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake is famous for its annual festival Kollam Pooram. Pooram usually takes place in April, in between the Malayalam months of Meenam and Meedam, in the Asramam Maidan. Kollam Pooram is a delightful festival of colors and happiness all around. It is such a pleasure to witness the festival filled with the beauty of Elephants wearing golden Nettipattam.
Kollam Pooram is a 10-day festival beginning with a flag hoisting ceremony, followed by different celebrations. During the festival days, the temple premises hosts various traditional art forms like Kathakali and Koothu. Major rituals within the festival include cherupooram ezhunnallathu, where elephants from 14 temples come to Asramam temple as a procession, upon their arrival elephants are given baths (ana neerattu). After the bath, elephants are given a grand meal of jaggery, rice balls, sugarcanes, and fruits, which is called as “aanayoottu” and later poora sadya is arranged in the compound.
On the last day of the grand festival, all the 30 elephants split themselves into two groups of 15 each. Two separate groups represent Thamarakulam Sri Mahaganapathi Temple and Puthiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple. During the harmonious ceremony, Kudamattam ritual is carried out, in which the colorful umbrellas are displayed and exchanged on top of the decked elephant according to the beats of chenda melam. After the completion of the rituals, Pooram comes to an end with the mesmerizing fireworks in the sky. All together Kollam Pooram is a wonderful event to witness if you are in town about the month of April. Never miss an opportunity to experience this traditional festival.
Contact Details
Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
MRA, Ashramam Rd, Uliyakovil East,
Asramam, Kollam, Kerala 691008
