The most classical,cultural,professional,spectacular and most Amazing show of God's own country is known as THRISSUR POORAM.
This year 2017 this unparalleled event falls on 5th of May2017.the arrival of people from all over the world and Keralites residing in other states and cities of India have already started.The trains from neighbouring states of Karnataka,Tamil Nadu,Telangana and AndhraPradesh are understood to be running overcrowded.This is a clear indication of the enthusiasm people have maintained to witness the divine event.
It is understood that the Government has accorded permission for Fire works though on a low profile of controlled manner for which
professionals are camping in the City of Thrissur.There is no restriction on the number of Elephants taking part with total caprisoned beauty.
The most popular attraction for the Pooram for different categories of people are based basically on Caprisoned Elephants,the Melams
& Panchavadyams in which Temple musical instruments like Chanda,Maddalam,Kombu ,Kuzhal,Elathalam,Udukku And Edakka are being used by professionals besides the most spectacular event known as Kuda mattam.However a large number of people arrive before the Fireworks which starts on the early morning(3-00AM) of the next day of Pooram ,this year it being on 6th May 2017and last for minimum of 3 hours.
However the main attraction is the parade of Elephants.The Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi Temples are the two main Temples which give respect and show devotion to the Main Diety of Thrissur the Great Vadakkumnathan.Nowhere in the world one could see such a Temple with huge sorrounding area of maidan in a circular shape.This unique place is known as Swaraj Round and traditionally Thekkinkadu Maidan.Traditionally 30 highly disciplined Elephants are being used in the Pooram .15 Elephants each for Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Temples.Apart from this ,there are smaller Poorams from selected villages of the suburbs of Thrissur to make the event more spectacular.Every village taking part show tremendous dedication and devotion to Lord Mahadeva popularly known as Vadakkumnathan.
Some of the Professional Elephants who had taken part in olden days as well as the present are shown in the Photographs above.
They are :
1)Paramekkavu Padmanabhan
2)Thiruvambadi shivsundar
3Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran.
4)Guruvayur Kesavan
5)Chengannur Renganathan
chengannur Ranganathan and Guruvayur Kesavan have attained heavenly abode.
They are mentioned here because they were the tallest Elephants respectively with height 11.65 & 11.5 feet
Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran is 10.75 feet tall and is believed to be the tallest at present.
The exhibition related to the Pooram which depicts all the basic ingredients of Pooram and many a stalls of different attraction .
Let us discuss how the Pooram came into existence and the legend related to the great event.
As all of us know the Thrissur Pooram is a spectacle that has amazed and delighted people for the last few centuries.
It is believed that Sakthan Thampuran was behind the the start of the Thrissur Pooram in the present spectacular form.
The Thrissur Pooram in it's present glory and delight is being celebrated since 1789 as a result of a decision taken by Sakthan
Thampuran.So the Thrissur Pooram in the present form and profile is being celebrated for the last 320 years.The Pooram of this year
is the 318th Pooram .There is a story or let us a Legend behind Thrissur Pooram.:
Several Templesfrom all across Kerala participated in the festival procession that took place in
Aratuupuzha about 10 kM from Thrissur.But on a rainy day some of the Temples could not make it for the
procession as their officials got held up by the torrential rains.As they arrived very late for the procession they were not allowed
to enter Arattupuzha Temple.Highly emberassed by this denial,the Temples officials went to the Maharaja of Mysore RajaRaja Varma
toblet him know their Grievances.The Maharaja who is known as Sakthan Thampuran for the people of Thrissur then unified 10 Villages
and started a brand new Pooram at the Vadakkumnathan Temple at Thrissur which gradually rose to prominence becoming the most
important Pooram of Kerala since the year 1798.
So since 320 years the Pooram is being celebrated with it's full gaiety and glory to entertain lakes of people all over from the
World.This year it is 321st Pooram on the 5th May 2017.
Ten dieties from Temples in and around Thrissur visit Vadakkumnathan Temple to pay respects to Lord Vadakkumnathan. Tye celebrations
Start with ceremonial flag hoisting called KODIYETTAM by the participating Temples seven days prior to the main pooram
,
On the main day of Pooram (this year 5 th of may 2017),15 Elephants carrying the idol of Krishna march from Thiruvambadi
Sreekrishna Temple and another group of 15 Elephants from Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple carrying the idol of Bhagavathi march to
the Vadakkumnathan Temple to pay respects to the Lord Mahadeva
These 30 caprisoned Elephants stand to face to face in two rows at the venue of Festival popularly called Thekkinkadu Maidanam
accompanied by Nadaswaram and Chendamelams.The entire venue comes alive with rythm of various Temple Musical Instruments and about
80 drums playing in competitive spirit.
In the evening of Pooram day people standing on top of the Elephants display and interchange the colorful umbrellas amidst perfect
rythm of Glorious Temple musical instruments.
Many people consider this event of lovingly and respectfullyexchanging umbrellas called KUDAMATTAM as the most spectacular part
part of the Pooram while some more enthusiastic crowd of youngsters and children adore the Fire works at 3-00AM on the morning of
next day.
After the colorful event of KUDAMATTAM the idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Bhagavathi are taken back to the Temple along with
the Elephants.
{Courtesy: Internet articles,pictures and knowledge gathered from veterans of Thrissur}
SreedharanMundanat
4th of May 2017
04-35 Hrs(IST)
