Thrissur Pooram 2018 Date: Significance And History of Biggest Temple Festival Held in Kerala

Thrissur Pooram is a grand temple festival held in Kerala every year. The festivities held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur is attended by thousands of visitors from different countries. Thrissur Pooram falls in the Malayalam month of Medam on Pooram star. This year Thrissur Pooram 2018 will begin on April 25 (Wednesday) and end on April 26 (Thursday).

The celebrations include colourful fireworks, Panchavadyam (orchestra of five instruments), the parading of elephants among other programmes. Elephants hold a special place in Thrissur Pooram where more than fifty of the jumbos are paraded. Celebratory mood fills in the air at the temple ground with the revellers matching steps to the beats of percussion.

History and Significance of Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur Pooram was introduced by Raja Rama Varma, the 17th-century ruler of the Kingdom of Cochin in Kerala.  Before Thrissur Pooram became a huge celebration, it was a one-day festival held at Aarattupuzha known as Arattupuzha Pooram, attended by temples in and around Thrissur. However, due to heavy rains, once they reached Arattupuzha Pooram late and were denied access. Embarrassed by it, the temple authorities went to their King and narrated the incident.

Raja Rama Varma, famously known as Sakthan Thampuran, then unified ten temples situated around Vadakkunnathan Temple and organised Thrissur Pooram. Temples authorities were invited with their deities to pay obeisance to Lord Vadakkunnathan (Lord Siva). All ten temples started sending their procession to Vadakkunnathan Temple, which over the years became a major event.

Here is the list of the major programmes held in ascending order:

1. Flag Hoisting

The pooram officially begins with the event of flag hoisting or Kodiyettam which is held seven days before the festival actually kicks off.

2. Display of fireworks (first round)

On the fourth day after Kodiyettam, the first round of display of fireworks are held. The show presented by Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devawsoms starts at 7:15 pm on Swaraj Round road.

3. Display of caparisons

On the fourth and fifth day before the Pooram, elephant caparisons are paraded. Every year, the event is held at different places in the city.

4. Main pooram

The main pooram begins after special prayers held early morning in the temple. The main program and celebration begin after this. Kudamattom which is a display of colourful umbrella attracts hundreds of people. Processions of different temples enter and competitevelydisplay their works.

5. Display of fireworks (main round)

Thrissur pooram main fireworks or vedikettu are quite popular in the country. They begin in the early morning of the seventh day which is attended by thousands. A kaleidoscope of colours lights up the sky on Pooram evening.

Farewell ceremony

6. Farewell ceremony

The seventh day of the pooram also known as Pakal Pooram is the last day of celebrations. The farewell ceremony is the last event held at Swaraj Round in which idols are taken back to their respective temples followed by a round of fireworks in the daylight.

Controversies related to Thrissur Pooram

However, Thrissur Pooram has been marred by controversies in the recent past with animal rights questioning the well being of elephants used in the celebration. Multiple incidents of fireworks resulting in major fires killing people have also raised eyebrows about the safety measures taken by the temple authorities. This year the temple authorities received permission for the fireworks after much debate and discussion. Viewers are advised to restrict to 100 m from the display of fireworks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2018 10:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).