Thrissur Poonam is the most renowned festival of Kerala which is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every year on the Pooram day. Pooram is the day when the moon rises with the Pooram star in the month of Medam as per the Malayalam calendar which falls between April-May. The festival was started by Raja Rama Varma who was famously known as Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin. He converted the festival into a mass festival by uniting 10 temples situated around Vadakkunnathan Temple. To date, the magnificence of Thrissur Pooram attracts lakhs of tourists across the world to come and witness this spectacular Hindu temple festival for a glimpse of the pompous celebrations.
The festival is celebrated with a grand display of decorated elephants, dazzling parasols, and percussion music. It brings out the true spirits of Keralites and as the years pass by, the fervor and passion of the people only increase. Here is a sneak-peek on the magnificent and royal festival of Thrissur Pooram which will help you plan your trip better.
Highlights Of The Festival
Pooram is a post-harvest festival of Kerala and even though Kerala celebrates many Poorams from November to May, Thrissur Pooram is considered to be the Mother of all Poorams. Thrissur Pooram brings out the true culture, festive spirit and lifestyle of simple people of South India. It is believed that Gods and Goddesses make their visit to the Vadakumnathan Temple premises on caparisoned elephants accompanied by grand ensembles of Chenda melam and Pancha Vadyam on this auspicious occasion. This celebration is 36-hours long and some of the main attractions during the festival are Kudamattom ceremony and Ilanjithara Melam which are witnessed by a huge number of devotees from all over the state. Some of the other highlights of the festival are:
Kudamattom Ceremony – During the kudamattom ceremony, visitors can watch the enthralling line-up of vibrantly decked up elephants. The best temple elephants are displayed in an array as they remain decorated in traditional outfits of vibrant colors. There are fifteen elephants who compete with each other during the performance.
Ilanjithara Melam – During the Ilanjithara Melam, the visitors can watch a spectacular performance of traditional instruments. During the performance, around 250 artists play traditional orchestra led by Chenda artistes.
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Date And Timings Of The Festival
Thrissur Pooram date and timings are as mentioned below:
Date: The date is decided as per the Pooram Nakshatra and is held during the Medam month of the Malayalam Calendar. The upcoming date of the festival is the 23rd April 2022
Observed by: Malayalees, Keralites
Venue: Thekkinkadu Maidanam
Location: Thrissur
District: Thrissur
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Sequence Of The Festival
1. Grand Opening
On the day of the festival, the celebrations start right from dawn at 4 am. The commencement of the festival is marked with the ceremonial entrance of “Kanimangalam Sastha” Pooram through the southern gopuram at 7 am. Gopurams are magnificent gateways of the temple.
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2. Flag Hoisting
After the entry of the Kanimangalam Sastha, flag hoisting is done by the Celebration Committee. The pooram flag is hosted in a makeshift post made out of a fresh Arecanut tree.
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3. Display Of Caparisons
Post the entry the remarkable kudamattom ceremony and ilanjithara melam are performed. Most visitors visit Kerala during this period to watch these performances.
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4. Culmination And Fireworks
The culmination of the Thrissur Pooram festival is marked by a huge fireworks display which is a must-watch if one is present in the city at this time. The same process is repeated in the evening at 6.30 pm and the Pooram ends by 9 O’ clock.
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Top Constituent Temples Of Thrissur Pooram
1. Vadakkumnathan Temple
Vadakkumnathan Temple is the largest temple complex of South India which is an epitome of Kerala’s temple architecture. Located on a hillock in an area of 64 acres, the temple can be entered through 4 gopurams. You can also find many mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata inside the temple. Around thousands of devotees reach this place on the day of pooram as Thrissur Pooram is the main festival of the temple and as it also embodies the Thrissur Pooram history perfectly.
Location: Swaraj Round N, Kuruppam, Thekkinkadu Maidan, Thrissur, Kerala 680001
Timings: Daily – 4.00 am – 10.00 am
4.30 pm – 8.20 pm
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2. Kanimangalam Sastha Temple
Situated at Kanimangalam, Thrissur City of Kerala, Kanimangalam Sastha Temple is a Hindu temple that pays ode to Lord Ayyappa. Kanimangalam Sastha is the main participant of the famous Thrissur Pooram. Its believed that Lord Ayyappa in this temple falls sick due to snow and sun heat, so all the celebrations can only be done early in the morning and evening. There is no doubt that the Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala is celebrated with great joy and galore in this temple so don’t forget to check out this temple during your trip!
Location: Kanimangalam, Thrissur City
Timings: Daily – 4.00 am – 10.00 am
4.30 pm – 8.20 pm
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3. Chembukkavu Sri Karthyayini Temple
Chembukkavu Karthyiayani Temple is one of the 108 Durga temples of Kerala which is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. The festival of Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in a really pompous and grandiose way at this temple and it will be one of the best experiences of your life to witness this monumental festivity.
Location: Chembukkavu, Thrissur
Timings: Daily – 4.00 am – 10.00 am
4.30 pm- 8.20 pm
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Thrissur is one of the most sought- after tourist spots of South India by Hindu devotees especially because of the Thrissur Pooram festival. This festival beautifully captures the essence of the culture of South India and more beautifully, the excitement of the people. Experience magnificence, grandeur, culture, and tradition as you plan your trip to Kerala with TravelTriangle and enjoy the festival of Thrissur Pooram.
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Frequently Asked Questions On Thrissur Pooram
How can one reach Thrissur?
Thrissur has its own railway station which is well-connected to major cities in India. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport which is about 58 km from Thrissur.
For how many days is Pooram celebrated?
Pooram is celebrated for seven days.
What is the main attraction of the festival?
The major attraction of the festival is the grand display of fully-decorated elephants. These elephants are decked out in specially created gold-threaded finery with decorative umbrellas and fans for the men sitting atop the elephants.
Which is the most remarkable day of the festival?
Most locals and tourists come to attend the last day of the pooram. The celebrations and fireworks on this day is an experience of a lifetime and should not be missed.
What is famous in Thrissur?
Thrissur is called the cultural capital of Kerala, and the land of Poorams. The district is famous for its ancient temples, churches, and mosques. Thrissur Pooram is the most colorful temple festival in Kerala which is celebrated in the city during April and May.
What is the climate in Thrissur during the Thrissur Pooram festival?
The maximum average temperature of the city in the summer season during the Thrissur Pooram festival is 35 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature recorded is 22.5 degrees Celsius.
What is the unique feature of this festival?
The unique feature of this festival is that everything used in the festival is made fresh every year from scratch like the umbrellas and the nettipattam.
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