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THRISSUR
POORAM - Prologue
Life in Kerala is
punctuated by the
annual festivals
dedicated to village
deities. These
post-harvest
festivals are an
occasion to break
out of the monotony
of daily routine.
The size and
importance of this
festival may vary
from small gathering
to mega spectacle
like Thrissur
pooram. There are
other Pooram
festivals in and
around the central
Kerala which may
stand better than
Thrissur pooram in
some respect .But
the beauty of
Thrissur pooram is
in every respect
Thrissur pooram
stands better than
the best.
The Thrissur Pooram
is considered to be
the Mother of all
Poorams, a
culture highlight
that towers above
all other festivals
.Thrissur pooram is
a festival unique in
its pageantry,
magnitude and
participation. It is
not a mere temple
festival in its
strict sense but at
the same time it is
the festival of
festivals of Kerala.
The
Thrissur Pooram,
celebrated in the
Malayalam month Of
Medom
(April-May) is a
grand assembly of
Gods and Goddesses
in and around
Thrissur. These Gods
and Goddesses make
their visit to the
Vadakumnathan
Temple premises on
caparisoned
elephants
accompanied by grand
ensembles of
Chenda melam
and
pancha vadyam.
The Ten participants
of the Pooram are
the
Thiruvambady
Bhagavathi and
Paramekkavu
Bhagavathi,
Nethilakkavu
Bhagavathi,
Karamukku Bhagavathi,
Ayyanthole
Bhagavathi, Laloor
Bhagavathi,
Choorakkattukavu
Bhagavathi,
Chembukkavu
Bhagavathi,
Panamukkumpally
Sastha, Kanimangalam
Sastha. The
processions and
rituals of each of
these deities follow
a very strict
itinerary, scheduled
in such a way that
the tempo of the
Pooram celebrations
– 36 hrs non-stop-
is maintained
without any loss of
energy.
HISTORY
Very many stories
are told and retold
about the origin of
Thrissur pooram.
Thrissur pooram is
200 plus years young
and before that the
“Arattupuzha pooram”
conducted at Arattupuzha , some
14 km away from
Vadakumnathan was
the biggest temple
festival of Kerala
All the temples
participating
Thrissur pooram and
Kuttanellore pooram
was the regular
participant of ”Arattupuzha
pooram”
.Once these temples
were delayed to
attend the festival
due to heavy rain or
so and then chief of
Peruvanam
Gramam
denied the entry .As
an act of reprisal
Thrissur
Naduvazhi
the chief
poojari of
vadakunnathan ,
known as
Yogadiripad
and
Kuttanellur
Naduvazhi
started the pooram
in Thrissur. Later
due to some reasons
the
Kuttanellur
Naduvazhi
disassociated the
celebration at
Thrissur. Since the
withdrawal of
Kuttanellur
Naduvazhi
the glamour of the
pooram was lost and
the two
Naduvazhies’
began to treat each
other as enemies. It
was in this juncture
the former ruler of
Cochin, His Highness
Ramavarma Raja,
popularly known as
Sakthan Thampuran
(1751-1805 AD)
became the Maharaja
of Kochi.
Sakthan Thampuran
unified the
10Temples situated
around Vadakumnathan
temple and took
steps to celebrate
Thrissur Pooram as a
mass festival.
Sakthan Thampuran
ordained two groups
western group and
Eastern group. He
named western group
as
Thiruvambady
consisting of
Kanimangalam, Laloor,
Ayyanthole,
Nethilakkavu and
Thiruvambady
temple (a private
devaswom temple).
The eastern side
called as
Paramekkavu side in
addition to
Paramekkavu temple
(a private
devaswom
temple )
Karamukku,
Chembukavu.
Choorakottukavu
and
Panamukkamppilly.
The Maharaja re -
organized the annual
festival in its
present form in
front of
Vadakumnathan.
Sakthan Thampuran
also directed the
main temples at
Thrissur,
Paramekkavu
and
Thiruvambady
to extent all
support and help to
other poorams which
are coming from 2 to
10 KM. away from
Vadakumnathan
temple. It is
attributed that the
event management of
the whole pooram was
chalked out by His
Highness
Sakthan Thampuran.
The festival is a
congregation of
various temple
deities in
Vadakumnathan
temple premises.
During ancient times
Thrissur Pooram used
to be celebrated
with the full
involvement of
devotees with their
physical involvement
and voluntary
services. The
financial
obligations were
very little due to
the availability of
large number of
artists and artisans
locally. Now
activities connected
with pooram
festivals has to be
maintained with the
help of paid artists
and artisans etc.,
resulting in large
expenditure which
used to be beyond
the capacity of the
conveners .The
expenditure for
arranging ,
accompaniments and
other accessories,
hiring of beautiful
elephants, artists
for
melam,
panchavadyam
for 8days goes into
lakhs and lakhs of
rupees. As in older
times the meager
donations from the
Thattakams
is not sufficient to
meet the huge
expenses. Large
scale contributions
were given to
communities to
conduct pooram with
great pomp and show
during the time of
Maharajas. This help
was also stopped and
government is not
helping Thrissur
Pooram Celebration
Committee. In this
circumstance luckily
some new avenues
have opened up to
facilitate funds for
the conduct of
pooram with its old
pomp and show
beautifully and
seriously.
The pooram is not
only celebrated and
conducted by the
people from the
surrounding locality
but cuts cross all
the manmade barriers
of religion and
caste.
THE CURTAIN RAISERS
The city is in
jubilant mood since
the opening of the
pooram Exhibition ,
the tempo starts
with the flag
hosting and in full
spirit from day
before yesterday of
the Pooram day. It
is in this day the
sample fire works is
displayed in the
vadakunnathan maidan.
This is the curtain
raiser to the real
display of
pyrotechnics of the
pooram. Started as a
sample testing of
the fire works for
alternation/
modification, it has
turned to an event
attracting very huge
crowd.
Both
Paramekkavu &
Thiruvambady
started to arrange
their respective
Parasols, Ornaments
etc neatly in their
stores which started
to attract people in
a large scale. Now
it turned another
curtain raiser to
Thrissur Pooram.
This “chamayakazcha”(
Viewing the display
of decorations
&ornaments) is
another amazing
experience of pooram
which is opened for
36 (last two nights
and day)
Ritually there is
another curtain
raiser to Thrissur
pooram. The one
among the
Constituent Poorams
Nethilakkavu
Bhagavathi presents
herself in front of
southern gopuram of
Vadakumnathan in the
early hours the
previous day of the
pooram and announces
the presence with
blowing conch. The
gopuram will be
opened and Devi
enters. It is to be
noted that this is
the only one
occasion the
goupuram will be
opened in the whole
year and will close
after the glittering
kudamattam .Nethilakkavu
bhagavathi pays her
respect to lord
Vadakumnathan and
comes out through
western gopuram.
There Devi announces
the “pooram” by
blowing the conch
three times at
Nilapaduthara. (“Nilapaduthara
– about 50 meters
north of the western
goupuram.) . Earlier
this ritual was on
the eve of “Kovilakathu
pooram”
which was conducted
the day before
yesterday of
pooram.
THRISSUR POORAM - THE
FORMAT
The participant
poorams are divided
into two parts
namely “Paramekkavu
side” and
“Thiruvambady side”.
The Paramekkavu side
consists of besides
“Paramekkavu
Bagavathy
1)
Pookattikkara-Karamukku
Baghavathy 2)
Choorakattukara
Baghavathy
3)Chempukkavu
Baghavathy 4)
Panemukkumpilly
Sastha. Besides
Thiruvambady
Baghavathy, the
Thiruvambady side is
having 1)
Ayyanthole
Baghavathy 2)
Nethilakkavu
Baghavathy 3)
Laoor
bagavathy 4)
Kanimangalam Sastha.
The Schedule :
The 36 hour long
pooram follow strict
time schedule and
prescribed route to
pay obeisance to
Lord Vadakumnathan.
The day starts with
“Kanimangalam
sastha”
entering to
vadakumnathan
through southern
gopuram and exits
through western
goupuram While
chembookavu
baghavathy,
panemukkumpilly
sastha and
Paramekkavu
bagavathy
enters through
eastern goupuram and
leaves through
southern
goupuram.The poorams
of
Laloor, Ayyanthole,
Neithalkavu,
Choorakottukavu,
moves to
thekkinkadu maidan
from
Naduvilal(west)
and enter
vadakumnathan
through western
goupuram leaves
through southern
goupuram.
Karamukku
bagavathy moves
through
manikandall(south)
and enters through
western goupuram and
leaves through
southern goupuram.
Thiruvambady
moves
to maiden through
Naikanal(North)
and enters to
Vadakumnathan
through western
gopuram and leaves
through
southern gopuram.
The night route is different since except panemukkumpilly no participant
pooram enters to
Vadakumnathan.
Paramekkavu,
karamukku,
kanimangalam enters
through “Manikandanal.
Ayyanthole,
laloor,
neithalkavu,
chhorakottukavu
enters through
Naduvilal while
Thiruvambady and
Chembookavu through
naickanal But all
poorams conclude at
“Nilapaduthara” near
western goupuram.
The
Paramekkavu &
Thiruvambady stops
their pooram for
fire works at their
pandals at
manikandal and
Naickanal at 3.00 am
.these poorams
starts at8.00am from
respective
pandals
and concludes at
Sreemoolasthanam
at 12noon.
THE DAY
The pooram starts
with the ceremonial
entrance of
“Kanimangalam Sastha”
pooram through the
southern goupuram at
7 pm. The
sastha
normally charterised
as the guardian of
pooram enters Sree
Vadakumnathan
premise with 7
caparisoned
elephants and
nadapady ..The
kanimangalam pooram
is the only other
pooram which is
allowed to perform
Melam/vadhyam
in side the compound
wall other than
“Paramekkavu” .The
pandimelam starts in
front of
Elinjithara
and finishes at in
front of western
goupuram.
This is followed
by the arrival of
Panamukkampilly
Sathavu, Chembookavu
Karthiayani Devi.
Karamukku Karthiyani
Devi,
Choorakkottukavu
Durga Devi,
Ayyanthole
Karthiayani Devi,and
Naithalakavu
Bhagavathi . Paramekkavu Bhagavathy and Thiruambady Bhagavathy escorted by Krishna
Paramekkavu pooram
The pooram day: The
temple opens at 04
am after the routine
poojas, Arattu at
6.00 am and other
rituals connected to
pooram, “nadakkal
para” starts. At
12.30 noon Devi
comes out and the
famous “purappadu”
starts with 15
elephants. The melam
starts with “Chempada”
(longest in duration
and magnificent in
performance) during
these Kudamattam
will be performed.
The pandy will start
at 2.00pm and the
procession moves to
“Vadakumnathan for
the thrilling “elingithataramelam”
.At 4.30 pm the
melam concludes and
the procession exits
through southern
gopuram “thripuda”
melam will accompany
the procession. The
procession will face
the southern gopuram
stationing at the
round after paying
homage to the statue
of Maharaja”
.Meanwhile “thripuda
will conclude after
kombhupattu, and
kuzalpattu “Panchari”
will start. At 5.30
pm Thiruvambady
bhagavathi will
start decenting and
the “Devine Durbar”
will start with
kudamattam.The
greatest show on
earth concludes at
6.45 pm and Devi
returns to temple
with “Nadaswaram”.
Night pooram stats
at 10.30 pm with 5
elephants with “Panchavadhyam”.The
pooram moves through
round west and round
south and ends at
Manikandanal pandal
at 2.30 am.
After the fire works
day pooram starts at
7.30am and moves to
Sreemoolasthanam
with 15 elephants
.Another thrilling
experience with “pandy
melam” and
kudamattam pooram
concludes at 11.30
am. After the
touching farewell
with Thiruvambady
bhagavathi
Paramekkavu
Bhagavathi returns
with jubilant crowd
to abode.
After “parayeduppu”
and arattu at “pandijarchira”
(western pond) Devi
returns to temple
and will be received
with pandy melam.
After kodical pooram
Devi takes rest with
uttrampattu.
Thiruvambady
pooram
The temple opens at
3.00 am after
routine poojas and "usha
Seeveli" the “nadakkal
para starts”. At
7.30 am Devi starts
for pooram with Lord
Krishna’s “kolam”and
devi’s thidambhu.The
ensemble moves
through shoranur
road
naickanal,Naduvilal
and old nadakavu to
Brahmasom Madhom.
After erakkipooja
the pooram starts
with 3 elephants and
“ Panchavadhyam”.
This famous “madathil
varavu”will starts
at 11.30 and will
play 2 thalavattom
in 3 kalams which
will be spread over
100 mts. The pooram
will enter the
western round
through
pazhayanadakkavu and
4 more elephants
join .the sweet and
splendid
Panchavadhyam will
conclude at
Naickanal pandal at
3-0 clock. The
procession will move
to “sree
moolasthanam”with 15
elephants and “
pandy melam”.The
melam concludes at
5.00pm and enters to
Vadakumnathan
temple. The famous
Divine durbar will
starts at 5.30 pm
facing the
Paramekkavu
bhagavathi in front
of the southern
gopuram..After the “
kudamattam” and
homage to the statue
of kochi raja
bhagavathi moves to
“Madhom” for “
irakky pooja”.
The night pooram
starts at 11.30 pm
with panchavadhyam
and ends at
naickanal pandal
at2.30 am . Devi
watches the “ fire
works from 3.00 am
to 6.00 am and
starts the
procession at 8.00
am to vadakunnathan
with “pandy melam”.
The pooram concludes
at 12noon After the
fare well devi
returns. In the
evening devi takes
holy dip at padijare
chira and returns
the temple at 7.pm.
After “kodikuthu”
the pooram
concludes.
Kanimangalam pooram
Starting its journey on pooram day at 4 O'clock in the morning accompanied by Nadapandy and Nadaswaram and associated with 3 elephants and reaches Kulassery temple at Veliyannur. Morechenda artists with a strength of 100 numbers accompanied byPandymelam, it reaches to Manikandanal pandal from were it turns east and enter through Southern Gopuram of VadukkumnathaTemple and reaches Elinjithara. Sree Vadakkumanathan pay great respects to Deva Guru and Honour him opening Lord’s Thirunanda. After the Pandymelam the deity with 14 elephants passes through western gopuram in front of Sreemoolasthanam were the Pandymelam at its brisk point performed and finally ends the day times pooram.
The same process repeated in the evening at 6.30 p.m. and the Pooram ends by 9 o’ clock. The next day there is Uthram Vilakkuat Sastha temple with Aarattu and with Thanthrika Poojas and other ceremonies the curtain of Kanimangalam Pooram ends in the temple. The hoisted flag on a temporary areca nut tree have been pull down by the elephant.
Chembukkavu Pooram
The day starts with arattu and other rituals. Pooram starts at 7 am with Panchavadhyam and nadaswaram and three caparisoned elephants the procession moves to Pooramparambhu through palace road. Bhagavathy enters through eastern gopuram to the Vadakumnatahan and complete the Panchavadhyam near southern gopuram. With melam Bhagavathy descents through the gopuram. And the day pooram ends. Since Bhagavathy is allergic to sun stroke, Devi returns to the temple in a hurry through Naikanal. The night pooram exits through western gopuram and ends at Nilapadu thara. Next evening with arattu, kodikkal pooram and kodikutthu the celebration concludes.
Ayyathole Bhagavathy another constituent of thrissur pooram is supposed to be the elder sister of Chembhukkavu Bhagavathy. The very next day after the kodiyettom Ayyanthole Bhagavathy pays a visit to Chembhukkavu temple and Chembhukavu Bhagavathy returns the visit. To mark the occasion a sandal wood piece is taken from chembhukavu by Ayyanthole Bhagavathy and in return a plate from ayyanthole by Chembhukavu Bhagavathy.
Panamukkumpally Pooram
The Panamukkumpally pooram will start at 7 a.m from the temple with 3 decorated elephants accompanied by Panjavadyam and Nathaswaram via East Fort Junction and arrive at Paramekkavu Temple and enter into Sri Vadakummnathan Temple via East Gopuram , ends the function return via South Gopuram. Same Process would repeat in the night also.
The pooram will start after flag hoisting festival ceremony. From the flag hoisting onwards there would be Kerala Kala Programmes. Kodi Erakkal will be done on the next day of pooram festival. Next day in the evening known as Aarrat. In addition to Pooram festivals there are other festivals such as Navarathri Pooja, Sri Sasthan Vilakku and Laksharchana in the month of November and the Sastha Prathishta with Annadanam in the month of December for nearly 1500 people would participate in the Annadanam.
Karamukku Pooram
On the seventh day after Tantric Poojas. Karamukku Bhagavati’s "Ezhunnallippu" starts Pooram muhurtham at 5 a.m. Along with "Nadaswram" and Nadapandi, the Ezhunnallippu reaches Kulassery temple. 3 elephants with Panymelam the possession reaches "Manikanatanal Pandal" at 8 O' clock. Here number of elephants increases to 9. The pandy melam witth more than 150 members moves to sreemolasthanam. This is the curtain raiser of famous "Elinjitara Melam". The Pandimelam will be over by 9.30 a.m. at "Sreemoolastanam" and the deity go inside temple to pay respects to Lord Vadakkumanathan and exit to Southern gopuram.
The Ezhunnallippu rounds the statue of Sakthan Thampuran and returns to Kulassery Temple.
Night pooram
. In the evening 7p.m the same process repeated up to 10pm with panchavadyam of more than 60 members and 3 elephants .Pooram ends at western gopuram and after paying a visit to " Nilapaduthara" devi returns to chiyyaram .
After proper rest in the day by evening after "Aarrattu" at Karamukku pond. "Utram Vilakku" Ezhunnallippu begins with 3 elephants. Pandy melam and fire works are the main attractions which is up to 10 P.M. With Tantric Pooja and Utram Pattu the curtain falls this year's pooram. Flag at temple and at Ollukkavu junction hoisted by devotees are driven down by the elephant with great jubilisation.
Laloor Pooram
Laloor pooram has the privilege of the first pooram to hoist the pooram flag before noon of the "Kodiyettam" day. System followed is "Padahadhy" style. The next day o f "Kodiyettam" Laloor Bhagavathy, after daily rituals travels to Pookkattikkara - Karamukku temple. After the poojas there, Devi travels back to Laloor along with Karamukku Bhagavathy. It is believed that this courtesy call to fellow pooram participant was another extinct rituals where all ten participants followed once.
Laloor Pooram: On the seventh day after Tantric Poojas. Laloor Bhagavati’s "Ezhunnallippu" starts Pooram muhurtham at 6.30 a.m. Along with "Nadhaswram" and Panchavadhyam with five elephants, the Ezhunnallippu reaches at Naduvilal of Swaraj round. During the course of time the number of elephants increases to nine. The melam starts procession moves to Sreemoola Sthanam withPandymelam and ends at 10.30 A.M. the deity go inside temple to pay respects to Lord Vadakkumanathan and exit to Southerngopuram and returns to Laloor.
Night Pooram starts at 6.30 p.m from the temple and the day time routine is repeated. Next day after "Kodikkal Pooram", "Kodikkuth" and "Uthram Pattu" the celebration ends.
Choorakottukavu Pooram
Another major celebration of this temple is "Pooram" (Trichur Pooram). This temple is one of the major participants of Trichur Pooram. The Pooram celebration commences by ritual named "kodiyettam". After "kodiyettam" there will be "Aarattu" every day till "Kodikkal Pooram". There will be "parayeduppu" also. On the part of parayeddppu Bhagavathy on the top of caparisoned Elephant accompanied by Melam visits every house and accepts offerings. During these 7 days there will be various cultural programs also in the night. On theTrichur Pooram day at 6.30 A.M. Bhagavathy with all pomp and pageantry goes to Trichur Town accompanied by "Nadhaswaram". The villagers and devotees follow to participate in the pooram. Pakal Pooram commences at 9.30 A.M. and ends at 11 A.M .After pakal Pooram Bhagavathy takes rest in Paramekkavu Temple. Out "Rathri Pooram" commences at 10 P.M. and ends at 12 o clock. On both occasions Chenda artists perform "Pandimelam". Immediately after "Rathri Pooram" Bhagavathy returns to temple. On the next day by a ritual named "Kodikkal Pooram" our Pooram celebrations come to an end.
Ayyanthole Pooram
The most important festival of the temple is that in connection with the famous Thrissur Pooram which take place during the month of Medam (April/May) every year. Hoisting of temple flag is an important function in this connection. The flag mast (kodimaram) made of areca nut tree is readied by the entitled carpenter family and fixed on the appropriate spot by the local people. The temple priest (Thanthri) hoist the flag on the mast after the necessary Poojas and invocations.
The next seven days are busy with the festival rituals and preparations on the day of Pooram, Devi sets out to Vadakkumnathan on the elephant backs at 6 AM accompanied by Thavil, Vadya, thala and Mela. All the people of the area including the friends and relatives assembled in the temple sufficiently early to have a glimpse of the spectacular possession and show of divine splendor. It is the custom of the people to accompany the Devi to some distance and also decorate the sreet with flowers and place lighted traditional lamp (Nilavilakku/Nirapara) on either side of the road along which Devi may pass. There will be three elephants and Nadapandi until the possession reaches Kottappuram Railway bridge. From railway bridge spot two more elephants are added and Panchavadyambegins when it reaches Naduvilal point, then umber of elephants rises to Thirteen and Melam starts in place of Panchavadyam. The Ayyanthole pooram with Thirteen elephants, the biggest of the Constituent Poorams and next Only to Thiruvambadi and Paramelkkavu Pooram, goes upto Sree Moola Sthanam and Melam comes to an end. Devi enters into the Vadakkumnathan temple after worshipping Lord Siva, comes out through the southern gateway. The whole process is repeated in the night as well. The next day after the Uthram Vilakku in the night, with the de-hoisting of the temple flag, the pooram celebrations comes to an end.
Naithalakkavu Pooram
Neithilkavu pooram: Neithilkavu Bhagavathy is privileged to announce that the Thrissur Pooram is ON.The previous day of the pooram Devi enters the vadakkumnathan temple with all accompaniments, pays her salutation to Vadakkumnathan and open the southern gopuram which was closed on the previous pooram day after the “kudamattom”. Devi moves to western gopuram through maidan to sreemoolasthanam. Devi is received by the Cochin devasom board representative and escorted to nilappaduthara. Here the pooram is announced by play of conch thrice. Devi moves Thiruvambadi temple which is a courtesy call. Latter after “ erakky pooja “, at Moothedathu mana at Viyyur,Devi returns to temple by 4 p.m.
On pooram day Devi starts from the temple by 8.30 am with Nadaswaram and nadapandy.At naduvilal Ganapathy temple there is an “ erakky pooja”. The no: elephants will increase to 11 and with pandi melam Devi enters to maidan at 11.am.The melam will end at sreemoolasthanam at one noon and Devi moves to vadakkumnathan and leaves through southern gopuram. Devi takes rest at karthyiani temple near Naduvil madom , Pazhayanadakkavu.
Night pooram will start from the Karthyiani temple at 11.p.m and through Naduvilal enters to maidan with pandi melam and stops at sreemoolasthanam by midnight one o clock. Devi returns to the neithal kavu temple and reaches at 3 a.m
In the evening, after arattu , kodikkal pooram comes to conclusion by 9.30 p.m
Earlier practice was the Devi takes part in “ Kovilakathum pooram” which is conducted two days before the pooram day and later moves to vadakkumnathan. It is customary an official representative of the kochin dynasty should escort Neithilkavilamma to Vadakkumnathan and be present while opening the southern gopuram and announcing the pooram. After the visit to Thiruvambadi , Devi retires at moothedathu man and returns to the abode on the next morning.

CONSTITUENT TEMPLES
OF THRISSUR POORAM
Apart from the
principal deities of
the
Paramekkavu and
Thiruvambadi, eight
other temple deities
participate in the
Thrissur Pooram: six
Goddesses and two
from temples
dedicated o Lord
Sastha. They are
the
Kanimangalam and
Panakkampilli
Sasthas, and the
Bhagavathis from
Pookkatikara,
Choorakotukavu,
Laloor,
Naithilakavu,
Ayyanthole and
Chembukavu. The
Kanimangalam
Sastha is the
first
God " - who is the
incarnation of "Brahspathi" (Deva Guru)"
- which
is the premier pooram entering
Sree
Vadakkumnathan.
It is interesting to note that only Sastha & Devi are participating in the pooram , may be because of Dravidian influence prevailed that time. There is four nos of siva temples, four nos of durga temples and four nos of large ponds are situated at nearly equidistant from the Sree vadakunnatha temple, the silent spectator of the pooram. Siva temple are "Erattachira –South, Chirakkal- west Asokeswaram –North& Midhunapilly –east. Durga temples are Pookkattikkara – karamukukku, Chiyyaram-South, Laloor south west, Ayyanthole, North west Chembookavu - Northeast.

THRISSUR POORAM
Pooram originally
denotes the
nakshatram or star
of the Malayalam
month in which the
festival is
celebrated. It was
on pooram days that
temples in Central
Kerala held their
annual festivals
honouring their
deity with
processions of
caparisoned
elephants and
percussion
ensembles.
Pooram festival
season begins in
November and extends
up to May. Although
there are hundreds
of pooram festivals
in this season, the
most important one
is the Thrissur
pooram which is
celebrated on the
Pooram Day of
Medom
Month of the
Malayalam Era
(mid-April to
mid-May).
Another Pooram of
similar significance
is the
Arattupuzha
Pooram which falls
on the Pooram Day in
the previous
Malayalam Month of
Meenam.
Pooram festivals are
also conducted on
other days of the
month all over
Kerala, the unifying
factor being the
small processional
image of the deity,
called the
thidambu,
which is placed at
the base of a golden
shield-like
kolam,
which is mounted
atop the tallest
male tusker and
flanked by other
elephants. Though
the minimum number
of elephants will be
three, in the bigger
festivals it can be
as many as
twenty-one or more.

THE FIREWORKS
DISPLAY
Fireworks are an
essential part of
almost all events in
Kerala .But in
Thrissur Pooram; the
fire works are
distinct in
character,
performance,
excellence and
magnitude. Both Thiruvambady
and
Paramekkavu temples compete with each other to provide the
crowd with the best
and the most
unexpected.
People
come from faraway
places to watch this
amazing display of
pyrotechnics.
There are four major
firework displays in
Thrissur Pooram. The
‘sample fireworks’ on the day before the Pooram, the
colorful sparklers
that light up the
sky (amittu)
by both sides on the
Pooram evening after
the Southward
Descent, the most
impressive event
that mark the peak
of Pooram
celebrations in the
early morning hours,
and the final
fireworks the
following noon after
the Goddesses bid
farewell to each
other that mark the
end of Pooram.
The chemistry : The technique is a mixture of sound, light and strength, the proportion may vary according to the type –say amittu( less sound more colour full), dynamite (High pitch sound only) Earlier potassium chlorate was used to increase the loudness and was replaced by potassium nitrate since earlier is more accident prone. The colour full display of amittu was started in Thrissur pooram . Thanks to Dr.T.C. Krishnamenon for his able guidance.
Some of the combinations Stonshiam Carbonate – Dark Red Lithium Carbonate – Light Red Calcium Chloride - Orange Sodium Nitrate - Yellow Barium Chloride – Green Copper Chloride –Blue Titanium and Aluminum – White This is only a guide line and proportion is the skill of the technocrat and Aluminum powder, magnesium etc are added to give some gimmicks.
According to
sources, an active
member of Thrissur
Pooram committee
witnessed a Chinese
firework display
during his visit to
the Park Fare
Exhibition at Madras
about 80 years ago.
Inspired by the
spectacle, he
brought some items
of Chinese fireworks
to Thrissur like
poothiri,
lathiri,
moolipeevu,
vaanam
etc. It obviously
fired popular
imagination and in
no time, the art and
craft of fireworks
was taken up by
enterprising
indigenous families,
who developed it
into the pulsating
event that it is
now. Every year new
and
never-seen-before
items are added to
the fireworks, with
both the temples
devoting a large
share of resources
for it.
The earliest masters
of fireworks
display, like
Kuriya,
Ponnuveetil
Gopalan
Nair,
Vellattu
Narayana Panicker, Chelapadan
Anthony,
Vadakkethala
Kochapu
etc were not
formally or
technically trained
in the art. They
learned it through
experience and
experimentation and
virtually developed
it into a major
industry. All the
fireworks-managers
of today are the
followers of these
pioneers. For a long
time the
responsibility of
the
Paramekkavu
fireworks was vested
with
Karayarakattil Jose, who has now retired from the scene.
It was only in the
early 1970’s that a
fixed schedule for
fireworks display
was introduced.
Until then whichever
party - Paramekkavu
or
Thiruvambady
- that reaches the
pandal
first would begin
their fireworks
display. As this led
to a lot of
misunderstandings
and also untoward
incidents, a
rotation system was
introduced.
According to this,
each temple would
take turns to light
their fireworks
first. From then on,
both the parties
have followed this
system.
The fame of the
Thrissur fireworks
crossed boundaries
and reached USA and
a master was invited
to display fireworks
in connection with a
presidential Sworn -
in USA
The Trichur
Pooram Exhibition
The Trichur Pooram
Exhibition, yet
another major
attraction of the
Pooram
is The
Trichur
Pooram Exhibition
one of the biggest
Trade Fairs in south
India . It is an
all-India exhibition
that generates
significant revenue
for the Pooram organisers. The
Exhibition which
starts a month
before pooram was
conducted in the
vicinity of
Vadakumnathan.
Venues and
organizers changed
during the course of
time.
Thrissur
Municipality,
entrusted Y.M.A to
run it in the year
1933 and afterwards
to the stadium
committee. In the
1964 the two groups
of temples requested
the municipality to
allow them to run
the exhibition to
meet the expenses of
Thrissur
Pooram.
In this year these 9
temples joined
together ( the 10th
pooram
Panemukkuppily
stopped long before
this ) and refused
to stage their
respective
poorams
in support of this
demand .That year
all temples staged
the pooram with one
elephant just only
to meet basic temple
rituals. This hurt
the feelings of
devotees, traders,
artists, artisans
and people of all
walks of life,
Tourist Development
Corporation,
Thrissur
Municipality
,respective
Panchayaths
and
Government in
general. They
started negotiations
with these 9 temples
through their office
bearers and
ascertained from
them the hardships
experienced for
conducting the
Pooram.
Ultimately Thrissur
Municipality
admitted the demand
of the 9 temples was
just and genuine and
the right to conduct
the pooram
exhibition was
handed over to”
Pooram Nadathippukar”
( the people who are
authorized to
conduct
poorams).This
exhibition is the
showcases
of pavilions and
stalls of major
commercial,
industrial and
entertainment houses
in the country.
The exhibition
profit could be used
exclusively for
conducting Thrissur
Pooram Festival but
unfortunately this
was diverted for
other purpose and
only a part of it is
used for Thrissur
Pooram Festival.
This is against the
principle of
“philanthropic
Purpose”. At the
same time the
Constituent Poorams
of 8 temples find it
very difficult to
celebrate their
festival with pomp
and decorum as the
office bearers of
these temples feel
hardship and
financial
difficulty.
Under these
circumstances the 8
temples put-up their
demand for
participations in
the exhibition
committee and equal
share from the funds
generated from it
.As the demand
turned to civil case
and interim
judgment, the
respective
Exhibition
committees started
to give small
contribution to 8
Constituent Poorams
annually
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Apart from the
Thrissur Pooram
another local
attraction is the “Puli
Kali” (Tiger
Play) and “Kummatti”
(Mask Dance) that
form part of Onam
celebrations, the
national festival of
Kerala (Aug-Sept).
These consist of
enthusiastic
processions of men
painted and made-up
as tigers, all
members of different
clubs that organize
the event. Thousands
gather to watch the
‘tigers’ dancing to
the beat of drums.
The biggest and
tallest church in
South Asia Our Lady
of Dolores popularly
known as the New
Church [Puthenpalli]
and the first
Catholic Church in
India,
Metropolitan of the
Chaldean Syrian
Church
(the name used for
the Church of the
East in India) are
other places to note
in Thrissur
The foremost mosque
in India
Cheraman
masjid
which is
dated back 7th
century AD, is in
Kodungallore of
Thrissur Dist .The
internationally
acclaimed
Kerala Kalamandalam,
a state academy for
the promotion of
classical arts is
also situated at
Cheruthuruthy,
around 30 kms from
Thrissur town.
Kerala Sahithya
Academy, Sangeetha Nataka Academy and
Kerala
Lalithakala
Academy
(State Academies of
Literature, Fine
Arts and Theatrical
Arts) are head
quartered at
Thrissur making the
epithet ‘cultural
capital of Kerala’
really significant.

IMPROVES /
MODIFY THRISSUR
POORAM
The grant show of temples in the vicinity of the vast Vadakkumnathan temple was started in the present form by the great visionary the Sakthan Thampuran, the ruler of the Cochin State. Now the pooram is celebrated with processions from various temples consisting of caparisoned elephants decorated deities embedded in golden Kolams held with colorful specially prepared large umbrellas and Alavattam made out of peacock feathers and Venchmarams. Each of these decorative items are held and exhibited according to the beating of drums by trained men sat over the elephant.
The accompaniment to
the elephants
stationed in front
of elephants
consists of
drummers, officials
of the temple and
residents of that
particular area
mostly the devotees
of that temple .as
Thrissur pooram has
become one of the
greatest attractions
of the people not
only from Kerala but
also from other
countries of the
world, the
responsibility of
the local
administration and
the organizers have
become much more
than the usual
rituals. Now they
are trying to
improve the show by
adding improved
themes in the show.
This will also help
to minimize the
monotony of locals
who throng to the
venue every year.
The madomthil varavu (panchavadhyam) of Thiruvambady and : Elinjithara melam ( pandi melam) of Paramekkavu should continue like this. The pakal pooram ( day pooram) at Sreemoolasthanam “pandi” by Thiruvambady. either it may be changed to “Panjari” or the “Panjavadhyam“ may continue” till the end.
Night pooram both Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady is on Panjavadhyam. Night it is better.
Again second day .Paramekkavu may try “Panjari” and thiruvambadi as usual “Pandi”
Spectators will have choice and core competency of the artists will be evaluate
Since Thrissur
pooram is commonly
known as drum
criented festival,
the improvements
should be limited to
the present
structure so that it
should cater with
the taste of
visiting people
consisting of large
number of foreigners
and non-Malaya lees.
The present forms of
Melam and
panchavadyam
are the live wires
of the show and this
should be improved
with well known
artists
accompaniments.
The restrictions and
the time limit in
the
Thekkinkadu Maidan
also hamper them
considerably. Taking
into all these
aspects including
the thin attendance
in the main
thoroughfare like
the
Kuruppam Road
and
M.G.
Road from
where all these
poorams
originate
should be the focal
point for
improvisation. These
will attract more
tourists to these
pooram even before
entering the main
venue, the maiden.
During the
procession including
the start of it, the
following forms of
drums which is
suitable to
amalgamate with our
drums and
processions can be
included in
intervals as this
temple rituals from
other parts of our
country which has
now started coming
out of the walls of
temple are
attracting large
number of people
when they are shown
along with various
programmers.
Some
Interesting Indian
Art forms (general
information).
Pang-cholam
This is Manipuri
drum dance where the
drummers and
musicians will dance
along with the music
and the sound in
different formation
vary vigorously and
it is a treat to
watch.
Bowl singers
of Bengal
This art form the
singers have two
instruments, one is
called a string
instrument and the
other one is a small
thabala
and they
will be singing,
dancing and drumming
and moving from one
place to another in
different
formations. This is
a very melodios
traditional,
religious and
ancient art form
they sing
Bhajans
of
various Gods.
Chatu dance
of Orissa
Puruliya,
Mayur Bhang and
Sarai kela
There are physical
movements similar to
marshal arts
(rigorous) with very
large size drums and
Musical instruments.
Lasam from
Gujarat
In this form the
instrument is called
lasam
and with help
of this they sing
and dance in
different
combinations.
Bangda from
Punjab
In this dance form
men wearing colorful
dresses with turban
on their head will
drum and dance in
different
formations.

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