Thrissur Pooram, one of the most anticipated and biggest Pooram celebrations in India, breeds expectations and enthusiasm each year. The Pooram held at the Vadakkumnathan Temple at Thrissur, the Cultural Capital City of the State, is around the corner. Held annually on the day the Moon enters the Pooram Nakshatra during the Malayalam calendar month Medam, this year, the Pooram is on April 19, 2024.
The sunrise is at 06:06 AM on April 19, and sunset is at 06:45 PM. The Pooram Nakshatram begins at 10:57 AM on the day, and the Nakshatram, also known as Poorva Phalguni, ends at 02:04 PM on the following day.
Elephant Thechikottukavu Ramachandran at Thrissur Pooram
The Pooram begins with the Kodiyettam, the flag-hoisting ceremony. The Kodiyettam is done seven days before the day of Pooram. This year, the Kodiyettam is on April 13th. Following the Kodiyettam, a sample firework is done at the Thekkinkadu Maidanam, a day before the Pooram, to induce the spirit and heat of the Pooram, which is about to unfold. The sample fireworks is on April 17th this year. People from different parts of the state gather at the Thekkinkadu Maidanam to witness this spectacular site.
Temples around the region of the Vadakkumnathan Temple, which are divided into two parts – the Paramekkavu side and the Thiruvambady side arrive with their deities to take part in the Pooram, and each of these temples has their poorams.
The Pooravilambaram is held where an elephant carrying the idol of the deity of ‘Neithilakkavilamma’ pushes open the Southern gates and the Vadakkumnathan temple through them.
The Pooram begins with the Ezhunnellippu, the ceremonial entrance of the “Kanimangalam Sastha” followed by the Ezhunnellip of the deities of the other participating temples. The Madathil Varavu Panchavadya Melam and the Ilanjithara Melam, a musical ensemble, conducted by over 200 artists in and around the state are one of the major attractions of the Pooram.
After the Ilanjithara Melam commences the rich and colourful Kudamattam ceremony. The Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi groups enter the temple and competitively exchange colorfully crafted umbrellas sitting on top of the elephants in the background of the melam. The Kudamattom is a visual treat to everyone gathered.
The parades of the lavishly decorated majestic elephants are one of the other attractions of Pooram. Elephant lovers around the state gather to see the rich and grand herd. The Devaswom Board along with a committee of elephant experts selects the elephants that will be part of the Pooram.
The Thrissur Pooram is never complete without the extraordinary and magnificent fireworks that are held at the Thekkinkadu Maidanam. Both the groups compete with each other to give out the best show. Including the major pyrotechnics in the early morning hours, there are four major fireworks in Thrissur Pooram. Some people even stay up the whole night to get the complete experience of the fireworks.
The seventh and last day, the Pakal Pooram, marks the farewell ceremony of the pooram. Idols are taken back to their respective temples, and this event is the farewell ceremony or the Upacharam Cholli Piriyal. The festival then ends with a final pyrotechnics, the Pakal Vedikettu.
The celebration of the rich tradition and heritage is awaited with much grandeur and enthusiasm every year. People come together and celebrate the pooram regardless of religion and other boundaries in complete unity and harmony.