On the Thrissur Pooram day, the deities of the temples in and around Thrissur town pay customary visit to the
One of the main festivals held in ancient Kerala is the famous
Arattupuzha pooram festival. It is still one of the most important festivals in
Kerala in which many temples in Thrissur district takes part.
Many temples, kings and regional rulers participated in the Arattupuzha
festival. One year, due to heavy rains, many rulers and temples with their procession could not make
it to the Arattupuzha pooram. As they arrived late, they weren’t allowed into the
festival premises by the organizers of Arattupuzha pooram.
Raja Rama Varma, popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran, was
informed about the ill treatment treatment meted out to temples of Thrissur area. Rama
Varma Kunhjippilla Thampuran (1751–1805), or Rama Varma IX, popularly known as Sakthan
Thampuran, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Kochi. Thampuran immediately planned
another festival, more extravagant and more colorful than the Arattupuzha
festival to avenge the insult. This marked the beginning of the Thrissur Pooram
festival in which many temples in and around Thrissur town takes part.
The Ten Temples Participating in Thrissur Pooram
The Name of the Ten Temples participating in the Thrissur Pooram:
Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple (Although the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, it is Bhagavathy or Devi a subsidiary deity in theTemple that takes part in the Pooram.)Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple Nethilakkavu Bhagavathy Temple Karamukku Bhagavathy Temple Ayyanthole Bhagavathy Temple Laloor Bhagavathy Temple Choorakkattukavu Bhagavathy Temple Chembukkavu Bhagavathy Temple Panamukkumpally Sastha Temple .Kanimangalam Sastha Temple
The arrival of the deities of the eight other temples is referred as Cheru Poorams or Small Poorams. But the areas representing the smaller temples detest the use of the term Cheru Pooram as they consider the arrival of their deity before Vadakkumnathan second to none.
Vadakkumnathan is a Spectator – Does Not Take Part in the Festival
The magnificent visit of deities from ten temples in and around Thrissur town to the Vadakkumnathan T
Poorangalude Pooram Thrissur Pooram – Mother of all Poorams
By noon crowds build in large numbers at Thekkinkadu Maidan (ground) with the `Madathil Varavu’ procession of the
The Paramekkavu Devi procession along with the accompaniment of Pandimelam enters the Vadakkunnathan temple.
The scintillating and highly appreciated ‘Ilanjithara 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 Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna and Paramekkavu Devi temples face each other at the Thekke Gopura Nada area. The `kudamattam’ session held here is the highlight of the Thrissur Pooram. In the ‘kudamattam’, the two sides engage in a competitive display of colorful umbrellas of various designs.
Thrissur Pooram Fireworks
The famous fireworks display is held late in the night. From 2009 onwards the fireworks is environmental friendly with less deafening sound and more of color.
One of the most anticipated events during the Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala is the fireworks display. Thousands of people gather to witness the early morning visual treat created by fireworks.
The fireworks during Thrissur Pooram festival is held early morning (the next day morning (3 AM) after Pooram) at Thekkinkadu Ground in front of Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur. Two temples – Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu – compete against each other in making the display of fireworks
The Thrissur Pooram comes to an end with the farewell ritual of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples at about noon on the next in front of the Vadakkunnathan temple.