29-879: The Thrissur Pooram is an annual Hindu temple festival held in Thrissur , Kerala , India . It is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every year on the Pooram day—the day when the moon rises with the Pooram star in the Malayalam Calendar month of Medam . It is the largest and most famous of all poorams in India. Thrissur pooram is also one of the largest festivals in Asia with more than 1 million visitors. Thrissur Pooram (തൃശ്ശൂര് പൂരം)
58-635: A Hindu festival, the Thrissur Pooram is attended by different sections of Kerala society. Several replicas of the festival are held in places in Kerala as well as outside the state. Thrissur Pooram is considered one of the greatest gatherings in Asia. It has an important place in the tourism map of India, as tourists enjoy the beauty and traditions of this pooram. Rail and bus connectivity is excellent in Thrissur, which attracts many foreign tourists to
87-549: Is a historic open ground located in the center of Thrissur city in the Kerala state of India . The 65-acre area surrounds the ancient Vadakkunnathan Temple , one of the most significant Shiva temples in Kerala, and is a vital cultural and historical landmark. The maidan is under the management of the Cochin Devaswom Board and plays host to a variety of public events, including the famous Thrissur Pooram , one of
116-462: Is a hub for daily activities. In the evenings, it becomes a gathering spot for local residents engaging in games like chess and cards. The maidan also serves as a platform for political debates, with areas like 'Students Corner', 'Labour Corner', and the 'Nehru Mandapam' being key spots for speeches and debates. Notable figures, including Mahatma Gandhi , C. Achutha Menon , and E. M. S. Namboodiripad , have delivered speeches here. The 'Nehru Mandapam'
145-472: Is centered on the Vadakkunnathan Temple , with all these temples sending their processions to pay obeisance to the Shiva , the presiding deity. The Thampuran is believed to have chalked out the program and the main events of the Thrissur Pooram festival. The pooram officially begins from the event of flag hoisting (കൊടിയേറ്റം). The flag hosting ceremony (Kodiyettam) begins seven days before Thrissur Pooram. All
174-611: The Cochin Devaswom Board , on the condition that it remains open for public use for festivals and gatherings. The maidan is a circular ground, encircled by the Swaraj Round , which is the main ring road of Thrissur city. The area is home to many significant structures such as the Vadakkunnathan Temple , the Nehru Park , the Kerala Water Authority office, water storage tanks, and several wells. The layout of
203-823: The Agrasala in Thrissur City, and the Thiruvambady Devaswom displays the caparisons at the Church Mission Society High School in Thrissur City on the fourth and fifth day before the Pooram. In 2014 and 2015, it was displayed in Kousthubham Hall at Shornur Road The pooram starts at the time of Kanimangalam sasthavu ezhunnellippu in the early morning and is followed by the ezhunnellippu of other six temples. One of
232-489: The Arattupuzha Pooram and were denied access to the Pooram procession. Feeling embarrassed and angered by the denial, the banned temple groups complained to Sakthan Thampuran. he decided to challenge the ban by starting Thrissur Pooram on the Pooram day in the month of May in the same year as a mass festival. He invited temples with their deities to the city of Thrissur to pay obeisance to Vadakkunnathan ( Shiva ),
261-472: The city of Thrissur branches out radially from this central point, creating a unique and organized urban structure. Thekkinkadu Maidanam is deeply tied to the culture of Kerala, particularly Thrissur. It is best known for hosting the annual Thrissur Pooram , which attracts thousands of visitors. The maidan serves as the venue for the Pooram, with its spectacular display of elephants, fireworks, and traditional percussion performances. Aside from Thrissur Pooram,
290-466: The end of the pooram, after the Ilanjithara melam, both Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi groups enter the temple through the western gate, come out through the southern gate and array themselves face to face in distant places. The two groups in the presence of melam exchange colourful and crafted umbrellas competitively at the top of the elephants, called Kudamattom, which is the eye-catching attraction of
319-479: The forest was cleared, despite opposition from Brahmin priests and orthodox sections of society. The Maharaja's vision transformed it into an open space, making it a center for gatherings and festivals. In 1928, the maidan was transferred to the Thrissur Municipality by the then Sanitary Board, which previously maintained it. However, in 1934, Diwan Paruvakad Narayanan Nair transferred the maidan to
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#1732772639773348-692: The fourth day after the flag hoisting of the Pooram. It is a one-hour show presented by Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms. Swaraj Round is venue for this fireworks and starts at 7:15 pm. The display usually has innovative patterns and varieties of fireworks. Even though there were several controversies, permission was granted to conduct Thrissur Pooram in 2017 The golden elephant caparison ( Nettipattam ), elephant accoutrements ( Chamayam ), ornamental fan made of peacock feathers ( Aalavattom ), royal fan ( Venchamarom ), sacred bells and decorative umbrellas are prepared new by Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devawsoms separately. Paramekkavu Devaswom exhibits this at
377-426: The gala. It is considered as meeting of Devas (ദേവ സംഗമം). The Oscar-winning sound editor Resul Pookutty and his team recorded the sounds of the 36-hour festivities and made a movie The Sound Story . Kodungallur Kovilakam Temple festivals of Kerala Kerala , a state in southwestern India, has many Hindu temples . Many of the temples have unique traditions and most hold festivals on specific days of
406-404: The globe due to its diversity of experience. Common religio-cultural festivals celebrated all across Kerala are: The major temple festivals of Kerala are: This Hinduism-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a religious festival is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Thekkinkadu Maidan Thekkinkadu Maidanam
435-460: The largest temple festivals in Kerala, often referred to as the "Mother of all Poorams." Historically, Thekkinkadu Maidanam was a dense forest where wild animals roamed freely, and it was used to execute criminals in ancient times. Criminals were driven into the thick forest from the gates of the Vadakkunnathan Temple . During the reign of Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran , the Maharaja of Cochin,
464-512: The maidan also hosts various political rallies, public meetings, and cultural events. Leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru , Indira Gandhi , Atal Bihari Vajpayee , and Narendra Modi have addressed gatherings here. The maidan is also a popular spot for chess and card games in the evenings, political debates, and casual gatherings. In recent years, Thekkinkadu Maidanam has seen several development projects aimed at preserving its cultural significance and improving its infrastructure. In 2005, Rs. 6 crore
493-478: The main participants in this event. The main fireworks begin in the early morning of the seventh day. Most pooram enthusiasts stay up all night to get a better view of the fireworks. People come from faraway places to watch this amazing display of pyrotechnics . There are four major firework displays in Thrissur Pooram: the 'sample fireworks' on the day before the Pooram, the colorful sparklers that light up
522-545: The major events in Thrissur Pooram is "Madathil varavu", a panchavadhyam concert, with artists numbering upto 40 members with instruments such as thimila, madhalam, trumpet, cymbal and edakka. At 2:00, inside the vadakkumnathan temple starts the Ilanjithara melam is one of the central attractions of the pooram, consisting of drum, trumpets, pipe and cymbal. The pooram has a good collection of elephants (more than 50) decorated with nettipattam (decorative golden headdress), strikingly crafted Kolam, decorative bells, and ornaments. At
551-648: The most famous of these being the Thrissur Pooram . Temples that can afford it will usually involve at least one richly caparisoned elephant as part of the festivities. The idol of the God in the temple is taken out on a procession around the countryside atop this elephant. When the procession visits homes around the temple, people will usually present rice, coconuts and other offerings to the God. Processions often include traditional music such as Panchari melam or Panchavadyam . The festivals of Kerala are famous around
580-498: The participating temples of Thrissur Pooram are present for the ceremony, and there is a light fireworks to announce the commencement of the festival. Poora Vilambaram is a custom where the elephant pushes open the south entrance gate of the Vadakkunnathan Temple, which hosts the Thrissur Pooram, with the idol of 'Neithilakkavilamma' atop it. The first round of pyrotechnics, known as Sample Vedikettu , happens on
609-471: The people of Thrissur, the pooram is not only a festival but also a time for hospitality. Upacharam Cholli Piriyal (ഉപചാരം ചൊല്ലി പിരിയല്) (farewell ceremony) is the last event held at Swaraj Round . Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple and Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple idols were taken from the Swaraj Round to their respective temples to mark the end of the Pooram celebrations. The festival ends with display of fireworks known as Pakal Vedikkettu. Despite being
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#1732772639773638-454: The pooram. Later all poorams conclude at Nilapaduthara near western gopuram of Vadakkunnathan Temple. 2024 pooram is on April 19th. Although, a prominently Hindu tradition, a notable feature of the pooram is its secular nature. All religious communities actively participate and play prominent roles in the festival. While most of the pandal works are crafted by the Muslim community, materials for
667-607: The presiding deity of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Something unique about this festival is that everything used in the festival is made fresh every year from scratch. There are people who are given the duty to craft the umbrellas and the nettipattam. Sakthan Thampuran ordained the temples into two groups, namely "Paramekkavu side" and "Thiruvambady side". These are headed by the principal participants, Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple at Thrissur Swaraj Round and Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple at Shoranur road. The Pooram
696-469: The sky (amittu) by both sides on the Pooram evening after the Southward Descent, the most impressive event that mark the peak of Pooram celebrations in the early morning hours, and the final fireworks the following noon after the goddesses bid farewell to each other that mark the end of the pooram. The seventh day of the pooram is the last day. It is also known as "Pakal Pooram" (പകല് പൂരം). For
725-535: The umbrellas for Kudamattom are offered by the churches and their members. This harmonious relationship amongst various religious groups that has been prevalent historically in the region is something Keralites are extremely proud of. Thrissur pooram main fireworks (vedikettu / വെടിക്കെട്ട് ) are well renowned all over the country. This amazing display of fireworks is held in the heart of Thrissur city, in Thekkinkadu Maidan . Thiruvambadi and Parmekavu are
754-480: The year. Temple festivals usually continue for a number of days. A common characteristic of these festivals is the hoisting of a holy flag which is then brought down only on the final day of the festival. The largest festival in kerala in Pooram category is Arattupuzha Pooram at Arattupuzha temple and in Ulsavam category is Vrishchikolsavam of Thripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple . Some festivals include
783-502: Was allocated for the beautification of the maidan. The venue regularly hosts large-scale public events such as the Thrissur Motor Show , which is organized by the students of Government Engineering College, Thrissur . In October 2024, the Kerala government organized the *Disha* career guidance event at Thekkinkadu Maidanam from October 4 to 8. The event, traditionally an orientation program for higher secondary students,
812-610: Was expanded into a full-scale education expo. It featured over 80 educational institutions, including state and central universities. The expo provided guidance on career options, entrance exams, and applications to higher education institutions. Students also had the opportunity to take the Kerala Differential Aptitude Test (K-DAT). The event was aimed at addressing the increasing trend of students seeking higher education opportunities abroad. Apart from hosting large festivals and events, Thekkinkadu Maidanam
841-577: Was the brainchild of Sakthan Thampuran , the Maharaja of Cochin (1790–1805). Before the start of Thrissur Pooram, the largest temple festival in Kerala was the one-day festival held at Aarattupuzha known as Arattupuzha Pooram . Temples in and around the city of Thrissur were regular participants. In the year 1796 because of incessant rains, the temples from Thrissur Groups (Paramekkavu, Thiruvambadi, Chempukkavu, Karamukku, Lalur, Ayyanthol, Chakkulathukavu, Neythalakavu and Kanimangalam Temples) were late for
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