Today has been a great day for the people of Thrissur because it's the day of the 'Thrissur Pooram' a grand spectacle that is being played out on the expansive grounds - the 'Thekkinkadu Maidan' - of the iconic 'Vadakkunnatha kshetram'. Ironically, this annual festival is of recent origin, in that, it's only 200 years old and there are 'poorams'(festivals) of the temples nearby that are being played out for over 2,000 years but they lack the fervour and the grand spectacle of the one at Thrissur.
Background.
The story has it that the local king, Sakthan Thampuran, was slighted when he'd gone to attend the oldest 'pooram' of the temple in the outskirts of Thrissur and on the rebound had drawn the concept, thus becoming the architect of the Thrissur Pooram. The event is the most extravagant and colourful festival of Kerala, the highlight being the active participation of all communities regardless of their religious affiliations!
What's it all about?
The main participants of the Pooram are the 'Thiruvambady' and the 'Paaramekkavu' temples, the other participants are drawn from the eight neighbouring temples. The deities from all these temples arrive on caparisoned elephants, along with percussion and other paraphernalia at the Thekkinkadu Maidan and pay obeisance to Lord Siva - known as 'Vadakkunnathan' - at the Vadakkunnatha kshetram and return to their abodes. The main function of the Pooram is the ceremonial face-to-face of the Paramekkavu and the Thiruvambady goddesses! The 'Kudamaattam' - the swift change of colourful parasols atop caparisoned elephants, music by the traditional bands and the gracious and synchronous moves of hundreds of the 'Panchaari melam' dancers are all part of that face off.
The seven day festival had begun with the ceremonial flag hoisting by the participating temples, the sixth day being the main Pooram followed by fireworks in the wee hours of the seventh morning.
The colours and the myriad sounds of the percussion and other traditional musical instruments make it spectacular and an event to remember. No wonder, then, that the UNESCO has adjudged the Thrissur Pooram as the most spectacular event on the planet!
Tailpiece.
1. It has been raining cats and dogs, in Kerala, for the last three days thanks to a trough of low in the Arabian Sea and the forecast was that it was moving northward predicting heavy rains in these parts of the state today. The believers, however, were absolutely sure that 'Vadakkunnathan' would see to it that the Thrissur Pooram will go on unhindered and sure enough, the sky was more or less clear throughout the day. Subsequent met reports talked about incessant rains on the Karnataka coast......a game played by the good Lord, himself, perhaps!
2. My nephew is at the Pooram site and has been feeding me with real time clips through his cellphone supplemented with commentaries. Live coverage of a different kind and it was top class!
Background.
The story has it that the local king, Sakthan Thampuran, was slighted when he'd gone to attend the oldest 'pooram' of the temple in the outskirts of Thrissur and on the rebound had drawn the concept, thus becoming the architect of the Thrissur Pooram. The event is the most extravagant and colourful festival of Kerala, the highlight being the active participation of all communities regardless of their religious affiliations!
What's it all about?
The main participants of the Pooram are the 'Thiruvambady' and the 'Paaramekkavu' temples, the other participants are drawn from the eight neighbouring temples. The deities from all these temples arrive on caparisoned elephants, along with percussion and other paraphernalia at the Thekkinkadu Maidan and pay obeisance to Lord Siva - known as 'Vadakkunnathan' - at the Vadakkunnatha kshetram and return to their abodes. The main function of the Pooram is the ceremonial face-to-face of the Paramekkavu and the Thiruvambady goddesses! The 'Kudamaattam' - the swift change of colourful parasols atop caparisoned elephants, music by the traditional bands and the gracious and synchronous moves of hundreds of the 'Panchaari melam' dancers are all part of that face off.
The seven day festival had begun with the ceremonial flag hoisting by the participating temples, the sixth day being the main Pooram followed by fireworks in the wee hours of the seventh morning.
The colours and the myriad sounds of the percussion and other traditional musical instruments make it spectacular and an event to remember. No wonder, then, that the UNESCO has adjudged the Thrissur Pooram as the most spectacular event on the planet!
Tailpiece.
1. It has been raining cats and dogs, in Kerala, for the last three days thanks to a trough of low in the Arabian Sea and the forecast was that it was moving northward predicting heavy rains in these parts of the state today. The believers, however, were absolutely sure that 'Vadakkunnathan' would see to it that the Thrissur Pooram will go on unhindered and sure enough, the sky was more or less clear throughout the day. Subsequent met reports talked about incessant rains on the Karnataka coast......a game played by the good Lord, himself, perhaps!
2. My nephew is at the Pooram site and has been feeding me with real time clips through his cellphone supplemented with commentaries. Live coverage of a different kind and it was top class!
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