Thrissur Pooram, the annual Hindu temple festival and also one of the most prominent festivals in Kerala, started on Friday, May 5. According to Malayalam calendar, the Pooram stars (part of the Leo constellation) rises with the Moon on May 5 and the ancient temples of Kerala come alive to the tune of music, drums and an array of brilliantly decorated elephants that are sent to Thrissur from all across Kerala.
For those who have can't attend the festival, here's where you can enjoy the spectacular show.
The Pooram Nakshathram started at 5.02 am on Friday and will end at 6.09 am on Saturday. The temples from the Paramekkavu side (Eastern Group) and Thiruvambady side (Western Group) take part in this festival. The two groups of temples are just 500 metres apart from each other.
The festival begins with the hoisting of a special flag which is known as 'kodiyettam.' Though most of the temples have permanent flag posts, the Pooram flag will be hosted in a makeshift post made out of fresh Areca nut tree. Here's the list of timings when the kodiyettam will be taking place in each of the temples.
Kodiyettam Timings
Laloor: 8 am to 8.15 am
Ayyanthole: 11 am to 11.15 am
Thiruvambadi: 11.30 am to 11.45 am
Paramekkavu: 12 pm to 12.15 pm
Chembhookavu: 6 pm to 6.15 pm
Panekkumppilly: 6.15 pm to 6.30 pm
Pookattikkara – Karamukku: 6.15 pm to 6.30 pm
Kanimangalam: 6 pm to 6.15 pm
Choorakottukavu: 6.45 pm to 7 pm
Neithalkavu: 8 pm to 8.15 pm
Fireworks are an essential part of celebrations on Kerala and the Thrissur Pooram fireworks are the most spectacular in view and nature. With both the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples competing with each other and tourists and devotees thronging the temples, the Pooram festival becomes a spectacular show of light and colours as well.
On the last day, devotees carry out a procession of 30 decorated elephants that are divided into two groups. While the first group, which consist of 15 elephants, carries the idol of Lord Krishna and marches from Thiruvambadi temple till Vadukunnathan temple, the other group of 15 elephants will proceed from Paramekavu Bhagavathy temple. The main leader of the group carries the idol of the goddess and reaches Tekkinkadu maidan.
Indeed! The Thrissur Pooram festival is a lifetime experience.
