The Thrissur Pooram, or better known as the “festival of festivals”, is a grand celebration at the Vadakkunathan Temple in Thrissur. It is celebrated during the month of Medom [April- May] every year. It is considered a gathering of the Gods and Goddesses of temples in and around Thrissur. The idols of Gods and Goddesses make their way to the Vadakkunathan Temple on adorned elephants accompanied by Chenda Melam [Drum beats] and Pancha Vadyam [an orchestra of five instruments]. Ten Temples participate in this grand festival, namely Thiruvambady Bhagavathi, Paramekkavu Bhagavathi, Laloor Bhagavathi, Choorakkattukavu Bhagavathi, Chembukkavu Bhagavathi, Panamukkumpally Sastha, Kanimangalam Sastha, Nethilakkavu Bhagavathi, Karamukku Bhagavathi, and Ayyanthole Bhagavathi.
History says the Thrissur Pooram is more than 200 years old. The Arattupuzha Pooram was the biggest festival in Kerala before. The temples which participated in the Thrissur Pooram were regular participants of the Arattupuzha Pooram.
Once, when they got late for the Arattupuzha Pooram due to rain, the chief of Peruvanam Gramam insulted them and denied them entry. Then the temple representatives approached Sakthan Thampuran, the king of Kochi and expressed their feelings. It was then that Sakthan Thampuran united all the ten temples in Thrissur and invited them to Thrissur Vadakkunathan Temple with their deities to pay obeisance to the Lord Vadakkunathan. He divided the ten temples into two sides, the Paramekkavu side and the Thiruvambady side.
The Pooram celebration commences with the flag hoisting ceremony seven days before the main Pooram. On the 4th day after the flag hoisting, there is a sample fireworks display, which is known as the “sample vedikkettu”. Both the Paramekavu side and the Thiruvambady side display their new patterns of fireworks. Followed by the fireworks display, the caparisons to be used in the Pooram are shown. These caparisons are made separately by both the Paramekkavu and the Thiruvambadi sides.
The main Pooram commences with the “Kanimangalam Sastha” entrance through the Southern Gate at 7 am. Subsequently, Panamukkampilly Sasthavu, Chembookavu Karthiayani Devi, Karamukku Karthiyani Devi, Choorakkottukavu Durga Devi, Ayyanthole Karthiayani Devi, Naithalakavu Bhagavathi, Paramekkavu Bhagavathy and Thirvambady Bhagavathy also join the Pooram. After that, the Panchavadyam [orchestra of five instruments] starts, which is performed by more than 200 artists. It consists of Thimila, Madhalam, Trumpet, Cymbal and Edakka.
More than 50 elephants adorned with nettipattam, kolam, decorative bells, ornaments and the umbrellas enhance the excitement of the Pooram and entertain the tens of thousands of spectators who gather around to get a glimpse of them. At 2 pm, the most awaited “Ilinjithara melam” begins—an awesome musical performance featuring drums, trumpets, pipes, and cymbals.
During the melam, the Paramekkavu side and the Thiruvambadi side exchange their well-crafted umbrellas, a practice known as Kudamaatom. It is one of the major attractions of the Thrissur Pooram.
The Pooram resumes with the main event, the firework display. The Paramekkave and Thiruvambadi sides compete with each other through their innovative fireworks, providing a mind-blowing spectacle for the millions of spectators gathered at the temple and in front of TV sets. People from all over the country visit the temple to watch the brilliant pyrotechnics. The seventh and the last day of the Pooram is the Pakal Pooram. It marks the end of the festival when the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Idols are taken back to the temple from the Swaraj ground, and then the Pakal Vedikettu [fireworks] starts, which concludes the Pooram.
