TRICHUR POORAM,THE POORAM OF ALL POORAMS!

THE GREATEST FESTIVAL OF ELEPHANTS AND DRUMS!

23rd,April,2010

Friday,

9p.m

Dear Friends,

Good Evening!

Daily my phone call to Amma updates the happenings of Trichur.Nanda is never at home.yesterday was sample fireworks and today she has gone to see Aanachamayam!:)You can't see people at home these days in Trichur.They have all relatives and friends as guests and busy enjoying the different aspects of Pooram.

Tomorrow is the Trichur Pooram!The pooram of all poorams.The most popular pooram of Kerala!This is the biggest Temple Festival.Thrissur Pooram is one of the most spectacular fesivals inthe world.One can't find such afestive gathering and celebration on such a scale anywherelese.

Thrissur is a city situated in the centre of Kerala and it is known as the cultural capital of the state.I am so happy to inform you that I belong to Trichur.:)The name of Thrissur is derived from''Thiru-siva-perur'' which literally translates into

the city of the Sacred Shiva.In ancient days,Thrissur was known as Vrishbadripuram as well as Kailasam[Mount Kailasam,the abode of Lord Shiva in south].

Poorams are festivals held in Hindu Temples in Kerala and the highlights being caparisoned elephants and Panchavadyam-a classical performance of five musical instruments.

Thrissur pooram is celebrated on Pooram nakshthram[star]-Purva phalguni day in MeDAM masam[month] as per Malayalam Calendar.This festival attracts millions of devotees from all parts of the globe.Thousand of foreigners wait for this grand festival.Thrissur pooram runs for a Marathon thirty six hours ,with an intense crescendo of fireworks at 2.30 a.m.

Thrissur Pooram is a festival unique in its pageantry,magnitude and participation.It is the festival of festivals in Kerala.

On Thrissur Pooram, the deities of the temples in and around Thrissur town pay customary visit to the Vadakumnathan Temple on caparisoned elephants accompanied by the music of Chenda melam and Pachavadyam.

The ten participants of the pooram are theThiruvamdai Bhagavathy Temple and Parmekkavu Bhagavathi,Nethikkavu Bhagavathi,Karamukku Bhagavathi,Ayyanthole Bhagavathi,Laloor Bhagavathi,Choorakktukavu Bhagavathi,Chembukkavu Bhagavathi,Panamukkupally Sastha and Kanimangalam Sastha.The processions and rituals of each of these deties follow a very strict itinerary,scheduled in such a way that the tempo of the pooram celebrations-36 hours non stop- is maintained without loss of energy.

The most important processions are that of the Thiruvambadi Sree Krishna Temple and Paramekkavu Devi temple.Apart from these two major temples,eight small temples also particiapate in the pooram.Vadakkumnathan Temple ,dedicated to Lord Shiva remains a spectator during the festivl.

By noon crowds will be formed at Thekkinkadu Maidan[grounds] with the

'Madathil Varavu' procession of Thiruvambadi Sree Krishna Temple.The Parmekkavu Devi Temple procession along with the accomapniment of enters Shree Vadakumnathan Temple.The scintillating and highly appreciated 'Elinjithara Melam'[a classic performance of musical instruments] begins when the procession reaches Elenji Tree inside the temple compound.

The exitement will be at its peak when the processions of Thiruvamadi Shree Krishna Temple and Parmekkavu Temple stand face each other at the Thekke Gopuram area.The Kudamattam[changing the beautiful umbrellas] which is held here is the highlight of Trissur Poram.In teh 'kudamattom',the two sides engage in a competitive display of colourful umbrellas of amazing designs.Two months are spent in hardwork by the artists to make these colourful umbrellas.The beautiful clothes are imported from China.

People across the world wait for the fireworks displayed which is held at late night.From 2009 onwards,the firework display is envirnmental friendly with less deafening sound and more of colour.There are four major firework displays in Thrissur Pooram.The sample fireworks the day before the Pooram,the colourful sparklers that light up the sky[Amittu] by both sides on the Pooram evening afterafter the Suthward Descent,the most impressive event that mark the peak of Pooram celebrations in the early morning hours and the final fireworks the fllowing noon after the Goddesses bid farewell t each other that mark the end of Pooram!

The Thrissur Pooram comes to an end with the farewell ritual of Shree Thiruvambadi Krishna and Parmekkavu Devi Temples at noon on the next day infront of Shree Vadakkumnathan Temple.

You can see a sea of humans and elephants matching to the beat of the tantalising drums and trumpets.

I must tell you friends,festivals are occasions to break out the monotony of daily routine.Thrissur pooram stands better than the best.It is two hundred years plus young and before that Aaratupuzha pooram conducted at Aaratupuzha,fourteen kilometer away from Vadakkumnathan Temple was the biggest temple festival of Kerala.

The Trchur Pooram Exhibition,yet another major attraction of Pooram is one of the famous South Indian Trade Fairs.I still fondly remember,my Achan[Father] always used to take us for the exhibition.And we bought the colurful kuppivalakal,hair clips,eatables and so many other items!It's great to spend a day among the well decoarated stalls.

Most of the television channels will be telecasting live the Thrissur Poramon 24th,April,Saturday!

Thrissur is approximately located two hours drive from Kochi.

My cheriyamma and cousin have started their journey from Dubai to be at Trichur for Pooram!great!That is the real spirit!This is my pooram,your pooram and our Pooram!:)I will be missing the the live telecast as I will be attending a cultural event!And you know what,I do transform to Alice in wonderland ,with mouth wide opened,admiring the novel and marvellous designs of the glittering umbrellas !And hope you know,umbrellas are my weakness!:)

Last year I reached Thrissur on the day of Pooram and this year I have to start packing my baggage now.

Wishing you a wonderful Thrissur pooram,

It's Anu signing off....................

The fame of Thrissur fireworks crossed boundaries and reached USA and a master was invited to display fireworks in connection with a Presidential sworn in USA.

Every year new and never seen before items are added to the firewrks,with both the temples devoting a large share of resources for it.

Friends,plan your trip to Trichur next time to witness the amazing Thrissur Pooram!We will meet at Thekkinkadu maidan!:)

Do you know what?

Pooram ente aaveshamanu,vikaramnu;athyapoorvamaya oru anubhavamanu!

Wishing you a wonderful visual feast on television screen,

Reminding you Anu loves you dilse,

Requesting you to plan your Thrissur trip during Pooram time,

Once a life time you must watch this visual treat!

Enjoy a beautiful weekend,

Sasneham,

Anu