Thrissur Pooram
(https://images.app.goo.gl/5caqYGnKgxC8K6Rg6)
★What
Thrissur
Pooram, often termed as the festival of festivals in Kerala is held in
Thrissur, a northern district of Kerala. The word pooram literally means group
or meeting. The tradition has that every year the Gods and Goddesses residing
at temples in the neighbouring regions come together for a day of celebration
at the famous Vadakkumnatha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This coming together
is led from the front by Goddess Bhagavati, and Lord Krishna, presiding deities
of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples, located close to the Vadakkumnatha
Temple. The sprawling Thekkinkadu grounds around the Vadakkumnatha Temple
become the rendezvous for gods and goddesses from adjoining temples
★When
The
Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in the month of Medom according to Malayalam
calendar. This falls on April-May months.
★History
Thrissur
Pooram was initially introduced by erstwhile King of Cochin, Raja Rama Varma,
also famously known as Sakthan Thampuran. Before Thrissur Pooram, there was
another grand one day temple festival held at Aaratupuzha, 12km south of
Thrissur. Temples situated in and around thrissur used to participate in this
festival. But, one day due to heavy rain, they arrived late and was denied
entry to the festival to uphold the supremacy of Namboodiris, which is the
dominant Brahmin caste in Kerala.
When
Raja Rama Varma came to know about this incident, HE took it upon himself to hold
a more extragavant and grand festival to make up for this incident. HE also
directed the two main temples Paramekkavu Temple and Thiruvambadi Temple(which
were never under the Namboodiris control) to help other participating temples.
This
secular nature of the festival and contribution by Thrissur Pooram temple
festival is evident, as people of all caste, colour or religion participate in
this festival in every way possible. It is said that most of the pandal works
are crafted by Muslim community and the materials for the umbrellas for
‘Kudamattom’ are offered by the churches and their members.
(https://images.app.goo.gl/PgwFJeUmFT4sQCS18)
★How
The
procession taking the representation of the Goddess of Thiruvambadi to
Brahmaswam Mutt; arrival of procession to the mutt accompanied by panchavadyam
called madathil varavu; the pooram setout of the temple by noon and the
one-hour long chembada melam (melam means orchestra); Ilanjithara melam
(orchestra held in front of the Ilanji tree); Thekkotirakkam; meeting of the
two temple groups of Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu; Kudamattom (exchange of
colorful parasols), the small-scale fireworks; the panchavadyam (traditional
temple orchestra) at night; the major fireworks at early morning; the pakal
pooram held on the next day; the fireworks following it and finally the
conclusion of pooram festivities with the ceremonial departure called upacharam
cholli piriyal are the main events of the pooram festival.
The
goddesses of Thiruvambadi And Paramekkavu are believed to be taking part in the
pooram. The presiding deity at Thiruvambadi is Lord Krishna, it is the second
in importance of the Goddess Bhagavati that takes part in the pooram. There are
also eight other temples taking part, but some exclusive rights as a part of
poorly vested with Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples. Those rights include
rights to the path surrounding the Vadakkumnathan temple and also fireworks and
exchange of parasols.
The
festivities on the main day with the arrival of poorams from eight temples. By
6.30 in the morning, the first pooram of Kanimangalam Sastha temple will arrive
at the Vadakkumnathan temple, followed by others like Karamukku Bhagavathy,
Choorakattukavu Bhagavathy, Naithilakattu Bhagavathy, Laloor Bhagavathy,
Panayckambilli Sastha, Ayanthol Karthiyayani Bhagavathy, and Chembookavu.
