Thrissur Pooram

One of the most colourful temple festivals of Kerala, the spectacular Thrissur Pooram was introduced by the erstwhile Cochin Maharaja, Sakthan Tampuran (Ravi Varma 1751-1805), and is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medom (April-May). Spanning a duration of about 36 hours, this illustrated festival of Kerala is referred to as the ‘Pooram of Poorams’ and is witnessed by lakhs of enthusiasts irrespective of religion or creed.

The word ‘pooram’, in Malayalam, literally means a group or a meeting. It is thought that during the Thrissur Pooram, Gods and Goddesses of neighbouring provinces get together to pay their respects to the Lord Vadakkunnathan.

History of the Thrissur Pooram

The Trissur Pooram is said to have originated as a symbol of liberation from the oppressive caste system practiced in ancient Kerala. The higher castes represented by the Namboothiris ruled over Kerala autocratically. The efforts of Prince Ravi Varma (Sakthan Thampuran) brought an end to this repressive state of affairs.

It is believed that once upon a time, the largest temple festival of Central Kerala took place at Aaraattupuzha, where the smaller temples from in and around Thrissur eagerly participated in the festivities. But this practice was hindered by the aristocratic Namboothiri supremacy which put an end to the custom and denied entry to these temples. In such a situation, Prince Ravi Varma, who was the then ruler of Cochin State, invited these temples to Thrissur to pay their respects to Lord Vadakkunnathan, the presiding deity of the majestic Vadakkunnathan temple. The two other main temples of Thrissur, the  Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple and the Paramekkavu Bhagavathy temple were instructed to provide all help and support to the visiting temples. Thus Sakthan Thampuran succeeded in putting a stop to the Namboothiri domination.

The pooram has continued to be a tradition of Trissur since then and even today, it goes on as per the prescribed age-old customs and traditions. The much popular episodes of the Pooram namely the `Madathil Varavu', `Elanjithara-Melam', `Thekkottirakkam' and `Kudamattom' are conducted with much vigour and vitality.

Religious Significance of the Trissur Pooram

The Thrissur Pooram is considered to be the festival of the common masses in all respects. People from all walks of life irrespective of religion, caste, or creed gather to witness the spectacular festivities on the day of the pooram.   

In this prominent temple fair held on the grounds of the Vadakkunnathan temple at Thrissur (Thekkinkadu Maidanam), two rival groups representing the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple and the Paramekkavu Bhagavathy temple fiercely compete with each other in showcasing their capabilities.

The Thrissur Pooram commences with the ezhunellippu (procession) of the Kanimangalam Shastha in the morning to the Vadakkunnathan temple followed by another ezhunellippu of six other minor temples. Totally, ten deities from in and around Thrissur pay their respects to the Lord Vadakkunnathan during the Pooram.

Elephant Power

Think Thrissur Pooram, and immediately the image that comes to our mind are those of magnificently caparisoned pachyderms majestically lined up in all their glory!

Elephants are an unavoidable part of the Thrissur Pooram and the best of the lot from the length and breadth of the state are specially brought to grace the occasion. Both the Thiruvambadi and Parammekkavu factions compete heavily in this aspect and make full use of the rules which allow a display of a maximum of fifteen elephants each. The sight of these impressive creatures in all their ornate decorations, making their way through the milling crowd and lining up on the temple grounds is indeed spectacular, and is witnessed not just by Malayalee enthusiasts, but also a lot of national and international tourists who reach Thrissur specifically on this day.

 

As part of the Pooram celebrations, the decorations to adorn the elephants (aana chamayam) are prepared well in advance each year by both the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temple boards, to be displayed to the eager public prior to the Pooram. (Aana Chamayal Pradarshanam).

Kudamaattom

The `Kudamaattom' or display of decorated parasols atop the majestically lined up elephants are yet another colourful aspect of the world famous Thrissur Pooram. This particular event is highly competitive in nature and is a matter of prestige for the Thiruvambadi and the Paramekkavu temples, who fiercely compete with one another in putting up the best display of parasols. The Kudamattom brings about deafening cheer and sighs of amazement from the awestruck spectators dazzled by the innovative and colourful exhibit.  The most amazing aspect of this show is that every year, both the temple wings bring in newer models for exhibition that are an epitome of creativity.

Various Pooram paraphernalia along with the decorated parasols are also put up on display during the Aana Chamayam Pradarshanam held prior to the Thrissur Pooram.

Panchavaadyam

The liveliness and spirit of the festivities during the Thrissur Pooram is enhanced manifold by the alluring effect of the ‘Panchavadyam’. Maestros in the respective fields are roped in by the two competing temple factions and the result is pure magic! The sight of multitudes flaying their arms and swaying their heads to the beat of the music is indeed a fantastic sight. No other festival in Kerala draws such an unbelievable crowd to a single event.

Display of Fireworks

The Thrissur Pooram ‘Vedikettu’ or display of fireworks is undoubtedly one of the much looked forward to attractions of this unique temple festival of Kerala. Both the factions of the Thiruvambadi as well as the Paramekkavu temples are always known to  put up a spectacular firework display.

Thousands of people throng the venue and nearby areas just to witness the innovative and breathtaking firework display which starts some time after midnight and lasts to several hours at a stretch. A couple of days prior to the Thrissur pooram, a ‘sample vedikkettu’ or a sample display of fireworks are held, which is equally enthralling in its beauty.

Trissur Pooram – A cultural Bonanza

The Thrissur Pooram is considered to be the most popular temple fair of  Kerala.  Religious unity is the highlight of this world famous event and even though it is a Hindu temple festival, both the Muslim and Christian communities play a very prominent role in the celebrations.

Most of the pandals put up for the Pooram are the result of the indigenous craft work of related experts from the Muslim community who work untiringly months ahead of the festival.

For the two days of the festival, the CMS High School located on the western part of the Swaraj round and owned by the North Kerala Diocese of CST Church, is a hub of activity, being the headquarters of the Thiruvampadi Devaswam. The temple elephants are tethered in the school compound. The ‘Aana Chamaya pradarshanam’  prior to the Pooram is also held at this school. The decorated parasols for the ‘Kudamattom’ are said to be offerings by various churches!

At these times, when the secular fabric of the Indian society is slowly decomposing and the feelings of religious intolerance are swiftly on the rise, one cannot but admire the relevance of the Thrissur Pooram, which strives to bring all religious communities under one banner.