Events

How Did Thrissur Pooram Start And What Makes It So Special

Published

7 years ago

April 25, 2018

Shibul Pavithran

Image from: couchsurfing.com

It is known as the mother of all temple festivals In Kerala. Thousands will be witnessing the Thrissur Pooram this year, the main days being April 24 and 25. From night-long fireworks, colourful umbrellas and the decorated elephants, it’s one event that all the Malayalis look forward to

Text Credit: Shibul Pavithran

Thrissur Pooram was the brainchild of Raja Rama Varma, famously known as Sakthan Thampuran. Before the start of Thrissur Pooram, the largest temple festival in Kerala was the one-day festival held at Aarattupuzha known as Arattupuzha Pooram. Temples in and around the city of Thrissur were regular participants. One day because of heavy rains, they were late for the Arattupuzha Pooram and were denied access to the Pooram procession. As an act of reprisal Thrissur Naduvazhi, the chief 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 his withdrawal, the glamour of the Pooram was lost and the two ‘Naduvazhies’ began to treat each other as enemies. It was at this juncture the former ruler of Cochin, His Highness Raja Rama Varma, became the Maharaja of Kochi (1790–1805). He unified the 10 temples situated around Vadakkunnathan temple and took steps to celebrate Thrissur Pooram as a mass festival. The Maharaja reorganized the annual festival in its present form in front of Vadakkunathan. He also directed the main temples at Thrissur, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady to extend all support and help to other Poorams which are coming from 2 to 10 Km away from Vadakkunnathan temple.

Source: Kerala.me

Held on the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May), festival-related events take place at the Vadakkunnathan temple situated in the heart of Thrissur town and the adjoining Thekkinkadu ground. The Raja and the priests of the two other important local temples, the Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple and the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, pay obeisance to Shiva, the presiding deity of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The priests of the two temples and their processions stand opposite each other and celebrate Lord Shiva whose idol is placed in the center.

These two temples compete with and try to outwit each other in the procession. They bring fifteen elephants, each decorated to dazzle. This is one such breathtaking site which shouldn’t be missed.

The spectators too catch the dynamics of the event and join in the frenzy. Both sides alternately exchange colorful umbrellas and fans in perfect rhythm and every time this happens there are cheers from the crowd. All this, while the nadaswarams and drums beat away, creating a trance which can only be experienced if you present there.

Source: Myopic lenses

Hundreds of temple orchestra and music instruments, the type of which is seen only in Kerala, are played by expert artists in the field. The traditional percussion ensembles such as Pancharimelam, Pandimelam, and Panchavadyam provide an appropriate accompaniment to the visual treat. Panchavadyam consists of five instruments: kombu, edakka, thimila, ilathalam and maddalam (pancha – five, vadyam – orchestra), and other instruments like Chenda, madalam, Kurumkuzhal are also included.

Source: youtube

In Malayalam, there have been countless movies depicting the celebrations of Thrissur Pooram. One of the recent favourite being, a scene from Charlie where the entire suspense of the movie finally breaks amidst the magnanimous spirit of Thrissur Pooram.

And a brilliant track from recent times that became an anthem amongst Malayalis; Kaanthaa by Masala Coffee. This song makes a connection with Thrissur Pooram that’s hard to describe in words, rather just hear it.

Related Topics:Charlie Kaanthaa Maharaja of Kochi Masala Coffee Raja Rama Varma Shiva Thrissur Pooram Vadakkunnathan temple

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