Thrissur
Pooram is the most spectacular festival of Kerala. It is aptly called Pooram
of all Poorams where Pooram means 'the meeting point of all the arts'. Rich
art and culture of the state of Kerala can be seen in all its splendor in
this marathon 36 hours festival.
Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in the asterism Pooram in the month of Medam
according to Malayalese calendar. This refers to the month of April-May
according to Gregorian calendar. The festival was introduced by the
erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi, Rama Varma. Celebrations are held at
Thekkinkadu grounds encircling the Vadakunnathan temple. A large number of
spectators and devotees assemble to watch the joyous festival which
witnesses a meeting of deities of ten different temples. Procession of
decorated elephants, dazzling display of fire works are the major
attractions of the festival besides several other enthralling musical
programmes and events.
Origin
Tradition of celebrating Thrissur Pooram as it is seen today was started by
erstwhile Prince of Kochi (Cochin), Rama Varma also called Sakthan
Thampuran (1775-1790). There is a little history to the festival which
says that before Thrissur Pooram, a one-day temple festival was held at
Aarattupuzha, 12 km south of the Thrissur. Temples located in and around
Thrissur used to regularly participate in the ceremonies. All was going well
until one day, chief of the Peruvanam area of Cherpu denied access to other
temples to uphold the supremacy of Namboodiri. Namboodiris is the dominant
brahmin caste in Kerala.
Prince Raja Varma, the architect of Thrissur, decided to put an end to
Namboodiri supremacy and assuage the wounded confidence of his subjects.
Rama Varma undertook the task of renovating Vadakunnathan temple, which was
earlier bounded by high walls and was controlled by Namboodiris. He took on
himself to look after the temple and made it open to all. He invited other
temples with their deities to Thrissur to pay obeisance to Lord (Sri)
Vakunnathan, the deity of the Vadakunnathan temple. The Prince also directed
the main temples of Thrissur, Thiruvampadi and Pamamekkavu, which
had never been under the control of Namboodiris to help other participating
temples. It is said that the Prince also chalked the schedule of the 36
hours festival. The Pooram was thus made open to one and all. This also
explains the secular nature of the festival. It is fascinating to note that
Christians, Muslims and people of all castes participate with vigour and
zeal in the Pooram.
Religious Programme
Following the ancient tradition, Thrissur Pooram is confined to the temples
of Devi (goddess) and Sastha (divine combination of Shiva and Vishnu). Ten
deities from the neighboring temples pay obeisance to the presiding deity of
Thrissur. Chief participants are Paramekkavu and Tiruvambadi. Other
participants called 'Cherupooram' include Kanimangalam, Karamukku,
Choorakkattukara, Laloor, Ayyanthole, Neithilakkavu, Chembukkavu and
Panamukkampilly.
The festival extends for 36 hours beginning with ezhunellippu of the
Kanimangalam Shasta in the morning, followed by the ezhunnellippu of the
other six minor temples on the Pooram Day. Where 'ezhunnellippu' is
a ritual symbolising the visit of the Devi from the Paramekkavu and
Thiruvambadi temples to the Vadakkunnathan temple. It may be noted that
although this grand festival is known as Thrissur Pooram, it is in fact the
conclusion of the eight-day Utsavams of nine temples.
Rituals and Celebrations
Major participants of the Pooram, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi provide a
spectacular show of best of Kerala art and culture to the onlookers as they
display their artistic prowess. The groups of artists vie with each to prove
their mastery over their respective art and provide a rare show of talent to
the spectators.
Massive and colourful processions are organised by temples, starting from
Krishna Temple and Devi Temple. The groups enter the Vadakumnatha Temple
through the western gate and take exit from the southern gate of the temple.
This way they come face to face and the competition becomes open.
A major attraction of the festival is 'Panchavadyam'. Over 200
artistes from various disciplines like Thimila, Maddalam, Trumpet, Cymbal
and Edakka unleash their talent and leave the audience spell bound. Time of
noon is reserved for another event called, 'Pandemelam', in which
artistes holding mastery of drum, trumpets, pipe and cymbal participate.
A procession of caparisoned elephants is the most enchanting facet of
Thrissur Pooram. On the Pooram evening, two lines of 13 decorated elephants
face each other, on the ground south to the temple. The best of elephants
are selected for the procession and given a massive make over. They are
painted, bejeweled and given a beautiful satin robe. Colourful silk parasols
are the important parts of their get up. Each of the majestic pachyderm gets
the honor of bearing an umbrella holder, a peacock fan carrier and a
yak-tail fly whisk wielder. This exhibition of the paraphernalia of elephant
decorative is called 'Aana Chamayal Pradarsanam'. Commissioning of
elephants and the parasols is vital and is done with utmost secrecy as
winning the competition is a matter of pride for the organisors.
Space between the two lines of elephants is taken up by the orchestra
consisting of percussion and wind instruments. Just when the orchestra
reaches its crescendo, the parasols are changed with an even more colourful
and exquisite one. The ceremony is called, 'Kudamattom'. This is
very exciting for the crowds who applaud whole heartedly every time the
parasols change. The revelry continues till late in the evening. The deities
of different temples arrive on the regally decorated elephants. The sight of
the meeting of the different 'Gods' is brilliant and memorable one.
The festival concludes with the dazzling display of fire works. The
bursting of crackers continues till the wee hours of the next morning. Shows
by Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams are the most reputed and popular
of all. Thus the festival which begins in the early hours of the Pooram
morning concludes at the break of the dawn, the next day on a cheerful note.
