Thrissur Pooram 2023: Here’s everything you may want to know about the temple festival

Kerala is preparing to commemorate the grand and vibrant Thrissur Pooram temple festival, which lasts for 36 hours or simply 3 days. This festival is considered the mother of all poorams and is an impressive exhibition of cultural customs and traditions, featuring adorned elephants, colourful umbrellas, and percussion music.

The festival is a splendid blend of Kerala's spiritual and cultural heritage and is held in the Thekkinkadu Maidanam in Thrissur during the Malayalam month of medam, which falls in April-May.

Dates

Thrissur Pooram festival is scheduled to be held on May 1. The Pooram Nakshathram will commence on April 30 at 3:30 PM and continue until May 1 at 5:51 PM. The highlight of the festival, the 'Vedikkettu' or fireworks display, is set to take place on May 1 at 3 pm.

The 'Pakal Pooram' or 'Day Pooram' will commence at 8 am, followed by the 'Upacharam Chollal' concluding ceremony at 12 noon. Additionally, the 'Pakal Vedikkettu' fireworks show is scheduled for 12.45 am.

History

Thrissur Pooram is a prominent temple festival in Kerala with a history spanning over 200 years. The festival was established by the ruler of the Kingdom of Cochin. The festival's origin dates back to 1796, when a group of temples was prohibited from attending the Arattupuzha Pooram festival due to heavy rainfall.

Upon hearing their grievances, Shakthan Thampuran decided to organise his own festival, which eventually became the Thrissur Pooram celebrated on the same day in May.

Celebrations

Thrissur Pooram festival celebrations commence a week before the actual festival day, with flag hoisting and a fireworks display. Another tradition called Poora Vilambharam involves an elephant carrying the idol of 'Neithilakkavilamma,' which opens the south entrance gate of the Vadakkunnathan Temple.

On the fourth day after flag hoisting, Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms present a one-hour-long firework show known as the Sample Vedikettu. The festival itself starts early in the morning, with the Madathil varavu being a significant highlight which is performed by over 200 artists.

FAQs

1. Where does 'Thrissur Pooram' fest take place?
   The annual festival takes place in Thrissur, Kerala.
2. Who started Thrissur Pooram festival?
   Shakthan Thampuran started this festival.