Introduction: The thirty-six-hour event is the mother of all festivals [Pooram of Poorams]. At a time when nobody would dared to outspoken against Namboodiri [higher caste], Prince Rama Varma [1751-1805] also known as Sakthan Thampuran ruined them from their power and took over temple administration and it is an end of a an caste supremacy era…..

Myths
The word pooram literally names a group or a meeting. It is believed that on the Malayalam month of medam that god and goddess of neighboring province meets and enjoy the celebration every year.

Religious Background

Thrissur pooram, the pooram of all poorams [mother of all feasts], falls in April- May every year. It is people's festival in all respects, in which people gathered without caste, colour, creed and religion. The Sakthan Thampuran, then the architect of Thrissur, has a special place in the hearts of people, who renovated the Vadakunnathan temple complex, which was enclosed by high walls. At a time when nobody would dare to outspoken against Namboodiris, he ruined them from their power and took over administration of temple and it is an end of a caste supremacy era. According to the medieval Peruvanam tradition, the festival is confined to the temple of Devi [goddess] and Sastha [divine combination of Siva and Vishnu]. Ten neighboring temple deities pay obeisance to the presiding of deity of Thrissur, Lord shiva, at the Sree Vadakkunnathan temple. The main venue of festival is Thekkinkadi maidan, center of Thrissur town. The pooram began with ezhunellippu of the Kanimangalam Shastha in the morning. It is followed by ezhunellippu from six other minor temples. A major event of the pooram festival is the panchavadyam in which about 200 thimila, maddalam, trumpet, cymbal and edakka artist participate. The Aana chamaya[ paraphernalic of elephants] pradarsanam[exhibitions] in which hundred of elephants participated with spectacular show of Kudamattam in which number of coloured designed umbrella were exchanged by the people on top of the elephants . The festival concludes with a spectacular fire-works, which is biggest firework in India, the wee hours of the day after pooram.

Tourism paradise: Thirssur the cultural hub is a tourism paradise during the month of April-May. Thousands of domestic and international tourists visit Thrissur and enjoys panchavadyam, Aana chamayam, pradarsanam, ezhunellippu, thimila , maddalam and biggest firework in India during the wee hours of the day.

The most striking feature of the Trichur Pooram is its very secular nature. The Muslim and Christian Communities actively take part in it and they play a very prominent role in the very conduct of the festival. Most of the pandals are the craft work of the experts from the Muslim community. For the two days of the festival, the CMS High School owned by the North Kerala Diocese of CST Church and located on the western part of the Swaraj Round, becomes virtually the Headquarters of the Thiruvampadi Devaswam. The temple elephants are tied in the school compound. The ‘Aana Chamaya pradarsanam’ is also held here. The parasols for the ‘Kudamattom’ are offered by the churches and their members. At a time when the secular fabric of the Indian Society is slowly disintegrating, one can not be myopic to the relevance of Trichur Pooram, the conduct of which should become worthy of emulation to other festivals in the country.

Thrissur Pooram - The festival of all festivals

Every year, several thousands of devotees throng the city of Thrissur to witness this much famed festival. They turn the entire festival ground and surrounding places in to a riot of colours thereby making Pooram a memorable experience for one and all.

All lit up for the Pooram

Every year, the two wings namely Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi who form the two integral segments of the coveted Thrissur Pooram gears up months in advance to showcase best of their talents and each year both the sects surface with a number of surprises with a view to add more glitter to the festival. Both the wings exhibit their Pooram costumes in a run up to the coveted festival which in itself turns out to be mega show leaving everyone spellbound with its colourful and impressive elements.

The much popular episodes of the Pooram namely the `Madathil Varavu', `Elanjithara-Melam', `Thekkottirakkam' and `Kudamattom' are always held with much vigor and vitality. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all efforts are always made by each group to rope in the best elephants around to their respective side.

Bizarre streams of fireworks display, however, is said to be the hallmark of Thrissur Pooram. Both Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu wings always put up an exemplary show

`Kudamattom' is yet another colourful aspect of Thrissur Pooram which involves a show of umbrellas, dazzling in colour and dynamic in looks. For both the Paramekkavu and Thiruvamabadi wings, umbrellas form an integral part of displaying their might. The parasols are used in the `Kudamattom' of the Thrissur Pooram and are exchanged by the people atop the elephants. Every year various

models of parasols are introduced by both Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi wings. The umbrellas are changed in rapid succession atop the caparisoned elephants. As part of the celebrations, an exhibition of various Pooram paraphernalia is held which exhibits the ornate elephant gear commonly known as 'Aana Chamayam' and the parasols with myriad designs and colours.

The most striking feature of the Thrissur Pooram is its very secular nature. Both the Muslim and Christian communities actively participate in the festival and they also play a very dominant role in the very conduct of the festival. To be attended by several lakhs of people from across the state, this year too the festival is impregnated with all the elements of a great festival.