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The Thrissur Municipal Corporation is the civic body that governs the Thrissur City in Kerala, India. It is the second largest City Corporation in the state of Kerala by area.

The cultural Capital of Kerala, INDIA.

Thrissur Pooram is the annual temple festival of the town of Thrissur in Kerala, India. It is one of the most colourful temple festival of Kerala which attracts large masses of devotees and spectators from all parts of the State and even outside.

Thrissur Pooram is celebrated at the premises of the Vadakkunnathan Temple, situated on a hillock (Thekkinkadu maidan) right in the centre of the city, on the Pooram day in the month of Medom (April-May). Processions of richly caparisoned elephants accompanied by percussion ensembles from various neighbouring temples culminate at the Vadakumnathan temple. The most impressive processions are those from the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple and the Bhagavathi Temple at Paramekkavu. The celebrations which last for over 36 hours includes parasol displays and firework shows.

This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of the erstwhile Cochin State in the late eighteenth century. Perhaps, there is no other festival in Kerala that draws such an unbelievable number of people to a single event. However Vadakkunnathan is a mere spectator at this festival, lending its premises and grounds for the great event. The pooram festival is also well known for the magnificent display of fireworks. Fire works start in the early hours and the dazzling display last three to four hours.

The Pooram Festival is celebrated by two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissur Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi vying with each other in making the display of fireworks grander and more colourful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants in South India and the most artistic parasols, several kinds of which are raised on the elephants during the display. Commencing in the early hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn, the next day.

An elephant carrying Thidambu during Thrissur Pooram festivalThe procession of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkumnatha Temple and back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The marvellous as well as magical effect of the Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed. Among the varieties of festivals celebrated in Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is the most thunderous, spectacular and dazzling. There are three temples participating in the event. It is an expression of popular fascination for sound and colour, and because of the pageantry, it appeals to all people. The images of the deities from all temples of the village are taken on elephants to the main temple. The climax of the festival is the exhibition of thirty elephants and the famous fireworks at 2.30 am local time.

More details on Thrissur Pooram

Vadakumnathan Temple gate
Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple gateThrissur Pooram is a cultural highlight par excellence, celebrated in the Malayalam month Medam (April/May) pooram nakshatram.

The two century old festival of spectacular procession of caparisoned elephants and enthralling percussion performances in a never ending succession is an 36 hours marathon event of incredible beauty, a feast for the eye and the ear, unfolding between 6 a.m. to noon the other day. Different from the usual temple festival, Thrissur Pooram is participated and conducted by people across all barriers of religion and caste.

Before the advent of Thrissur Pooram, the largest temple festival during summer in Thrissur Taluk was the one-day festival held at Arattupuzha, 12 km south of the city. Temples in and around Thrissur were regular participants of this religious exercise until they were once denied entry by the responsible chief of the Peruvanam area of Cherpu, known for its Namboodiri supremacy. As an act of reprisal and also in a bid to assuage their wounded feelings, Raja Rama Varma (1751-1805), also known as Sakthan Thampuran the ruler of the Cochin state invited all these temples to bring their deities to Thrissur where they could pay obeiance to Lord (Sri) Vadakunnathan, the deity of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Further he directed the main temples of Thrissur, Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu, to extend all help and support to these temples. It is this historical background that determines the course of the Pooram program and it is specifically the ruler's antipathy to the Brahmin aristocracy to open Thrissur pooram for the common man.

Adhering to the medieval Peruvanam tradition, the festival is confined to the temples of Devi (goddess) and Sastha (divine combination of Shiva and Vishnu). Ten deities from the neighboring temples pay obeisance to the presiding deiety of Thrissur and only spectator of the Pooram events, Lord Siva at the Sree Vadakkunnathan temple, situated in the heart of the city.

Principle participants are Paramekkavu and Tiruvambadi, close to the Vadakunnathan temple. Also participating and known as Cherupooram are the suburban temples at Kanimangalam, Karamukku, Choorakkattukara, Laloor, Ayyanthole, Neithilakkavu, Chembukkavu and Panamukkampilly altogether 8 deities. The sprawling Thekkinkadu maidan, en circling the Vadakumnathan temple, is the main venue of the festival and usually known as Thrissur Swaraj Round makked by lijo varadiyam.

See also

Nemmara Vela
Nemmara Vallengi Vela
Thrissur
Thrissur Round
Thekkinkadu maidan
Perumpadapu Swaroopam
Kannambra Vela
Elephants in Kerala culture
Topics related to Thrissur

Transport: Cochin International Airport
Link:thrissur.nic.in/
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrissur_Municipal_Corporation
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   10°31'51"N   76°13'32"E

Comments

  • Hello, Thrissur is a great city in Kerala State
  • A place with great historical and religious prominence, Thrissur is located 58 km from Cochin International Airport. The name ‘Thrissur’ is an abbreviation of Thrissivaperur, the abode of Lord Shiva at the Vadakkunnatha Temple. The city was also called Vrishabhadripuram and Ten-Kailasam in ancient days. At present it is the headquarters of Thrissur District. The city was built during the reign of Sakthan Thampuram, King of the Kochi princely state. Thrissur has played a major role in the political and cultural history of erstwhile Kochi state. Kokkalai in Thrissur city was once a very busy dock. Thekkinkad Maidan of the city was the site of many speeches made by prominent leaders before independence. Vadakkunnathan Temple located in the hub of the city is the main landmark. There are numerous other holy places in and around the city. Thrissur Pooram which falls in April-May has elevated the city to the world map of tourists. Athirappilly and Vazhachal are nearby places of tourist interest. Archeological Museum, Thrissur Zoo, Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and Vilangankunnu Hill are other attractions. The city has its own railhead and bus terminals and is connected to all major cities by road and rail.
  • This page is very informative. pls provide more information on thrissur.
  • very good palce in Kerala
  • its very interesting place in kerala.i wish to everybdy must visit atleast 1 time.
  • The facts mentioned are correct. But I have heard another story that Arattupuzha Puram is defined as "DEVASANGAMAM" where all Gods used to visit the temple premises to pay respects to Arattupuzha Shastha, who is supposed to be the Guru of every Gods and Godesses. Once long ago when the deities of the premises of Vadakkumnathan was proceeding to Arattupuzha to take part in the Pooram, torential rain stopped them to proceed further and they had to cancel the trip owing to natural calamity, which the party felt very much. To satisfy their wishes, Shakthan Thampuran has decided to organise a Pooram at Trichur, which has become very famous. I shall update my comments by referring certain authentic documents, else the learned readers may add or put the correct details for the enmass.
  • Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala and land of 'Poorams' and festivals.Love it!! Living in an apartment in the heart of the city.
  • thrissur my home town
  • Yes, the charm and beauty of the city and its rich culture made me to make it my permanent home city for my retired life after spending a hectic professional life in Mumbai for 38 Years ! My retired life in the city just started since three months is quite comfortable and enjoyable.
  • See updated site :- http://pavivipin-com.webs.com
  • Enjoy the natural beauty of Desamangalam.
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