This festival has got it all…music, fireworks even elephants!

Getting excited to see these big magnificent beasts all dolled up in ornaments for temple festivals is a big part of every Malayali’s childhood. The craze for elephants amongst Keralites doesn’t stop there, it all begins with growing up watching 30 glorious elephants taking part in the biggest pooram (temple festival) in Kerala-Thrissur Pooram.

Elephants adorned with ornaments at the festival; Image source: Pinterest

Vedikkettu(fireworks) are an important feature of the performance, in which each side of the Pooram competes for the richness and variety of their sky exhibitions, a sample of which may be seen on the fourth day after the hoisting event.

The Kudamattom, where they swap exquisitely carved umbrellas on top of elephants, beautifully depicts the competitive attitude of the two participating groups. With the amazing show of fireworks held in the city centre Thekkinkadu Maidan, the evening is a blizzard of the artery. Every Malayali is glued to the television on this day where they live telecast each event that happens. The traffic in Thrissur becomes non-existent, private and public vehicles that day stop transportation.  If you are lucky enough to visit the Pooram and find a good spot among the millions then it will be an unforgettable day.

The major significance of this Pooram is that it provides the ideal view of Unity in Diversity. Even though it is a Hindu festival, people of many faiths will attend. The ornaments prepared for the celebrations were manufactured by churches, and the pandal decorations will be done by Islamic community members.

The biggest fireworks display begins early on the seventh day, with Pooram fans staying up till the first rays of dawn to witness this spectacular display. The festivities come to a conclusion with the Pakal Pooram on the seventh day, with the participants looking forward to another week after a year's wait.

The main Pooram begins with Kanimangalam Shastha entering through the Southern Gopuram(gateway), followed by the arrival of additional deities. The most eye-catching events of the Pooram include "Madathil varavu," a Panchavadhyam Melam featuring instruments such the thimila, madhalam, rumpet, cymbal, edakka, and Ilanjithara Melam, which is claimed to be the world's largest musical percussion event.

Thrissur is known as the Cultural capital of Kerala due to its rich cultural heritage. It also hosts the biggest and most spectacular temple festival in Kerala. Around two million people travel from different parts of the country and outside to witness this colourful festival every year.

The Festival dates back to 1798 when Sakhtan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin was approached by temple authorities who were denied entry to the Arattupura Pooram. At that time Arattupura festival was the biggest temple festival in Kerala and other temples used to join the festival. Due to heavy rains, the processions from Thrissur and Kuttanellur temples couldn't make it on time. The head of Peruvanam Gramam didn’t let them join in. In this embarrassment and anger the authorities from these two regions joined hands to conduct the festival on their own, after a while due to certain differences Kuttenellur side withdrew their support. That is when they approached Sakhtan Thampuran.

He combined 10 major temples surrounding the Vadukkunathan temple which is in the centre of the district to form the present-day Thrissur Pooram. He divided these temples into two groups, Thiruvambadi and Pramekkavu sides. He laid down a sort of competition between which group will carry out the festival better to ensure that this becomes a lasting and lively festival. He also planned out every detail of the festival that is still followed to the T.

The festival starts with Kodiyettam(flag hoisting), next poora vilambaram(announcing the start of the festival) where the grand elephants push open the south gate of Vadakkunatha temple which otherwise remains closed throughout the year.

Which side wins is up to the viewers to decide but whatever may be the outcome looking forward to seeing their favourite elephants all decked up and groove to the rhythm of Madathil varavu keeps each Malayalis spirit high.

Ilanjithara Melam (percussion performance artists held at Ilanji tree at the courtyard of the Vadakkunnathan TempleImage); Image Source: aanachandhamkerala

Fireworks held at dawn; Image source: The Hindu

poora vilambaram; Image source: Indian Express