Who does not have rivals? But what do you make out of it? An argument, controversies, or struggle? But our Indian culture never fails to make the best out of everything. Our history, the culture, the Epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata; is all so conspicuous! Strange as it sounds, a feud has given India an exquisite celebration and a grand festival- Thrissur Pooram. It is a three day celebration the first two days are dedicated to the preparation and decoration leading to the main event on the third day.
From Feud to Festival
The origins of Thrissur pooram have been recounted several times and would be continued for generations. Thrissur pooram sees its genesis about 200 years ago, and before that, the "Arattupuzha pooram," held 16 kilometers from Vadakkunnathan (birthplace of thrissur pooram), was Kerala's largest temple festival. All of the temples in Thrissur and Kuttanellore were regular participants in the "Arattupuzha pooram." Due to heavy rain, these temples were unable to attend the festival, and the chief of Peruvanam Gramam(place where arattupuzha pooram was celebrated) denied them entry. Thrissur Naduvazhi, the chief of Vadakkunnathan, also known as Yogadiripad and Kuttanellur Naduvazhi, started the pooram in Thrissur as a form of retaliation. The glamor of the pooram was lost after Kuttanellur Naduvazhi's departure, and the two 'Chiefs' began to treat each other as enemies. At this time, His Highness Sakthan Thampuran (1751-1805 AD), the former ruler of Cochin, became the Maharaja of Kochi. Sakthan Thampuran brought together the ten temples that surround the Vadakkunnathan temple and organized Thrissur Pooram as a mass festival. The participants were divided into two groups by Sakthan Thampuran: western and eastern. Thiruvambady, Kanimangalam, Laloor, Ayyanthole, and Nethilakkavu are among the temples in the western group. Chembukavu, Paramekkavu, Karamukku The eastern group includes Choorakottukavu and Panamukkamppilly. In front of Vadakumnathan, the Maharaja re-organized the annual festival in its current form. Sakthan Thampuran also directed the main temples in Thrissur, Paramekkavu, and Thiruvambady to extend all support and assistance to other poorams traveling between 2 and 10 kilometers from Vadakkunnathan temple.
Vadakkunathan Temple
How is Thrissur Pooram celebrated?
The Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medom (April-May). It is a grand assembly of Gods and Goddesses in and around Thrissur. These Gods and Goddesses make their visit to the Vadakkunnathan Temple premises on decorated elephants accompanied by grand percussion instrument ensembles of Chenda melam and pancha vadyam.
The Ten participants of the Pooram are the Thiruvambady Bhagavathi and Paramekkavu Bhagavathi, Nethilakkavu Bhagavathi, Karamukku Bhagavathi, Ayyanthole Bhagavathi, Laloor Bhagavathi, Choorakkattukavu Bhagavathi, Chembukkavu Bhagavathi, Panamukkumpally Sastha, Kanimangalam Sastha. The processions and rituals of each of these deities follow a very strict itinerary, scheduled in such a way that the tempo of the Pooram celebration is maintained without any loss of energy for 36 hours nonstop.
The tempo begins with the flag hosting, which has been in full swing since the day before the Pooram day. On this day, the Vadakkunnathan maidan hosts a sample fireworks performance, a warm-up act for the Pooram's main show of fireworks to see if they need to be altered or modified. Both Paramekkavu & Thiruvambady arrange their respective Parasols, Ornaments and a lot more neatly in their stores which attracts people on a large scale. It is now enjoyed as a curtain raiser to Thrissur Pooram. This "chamayakazcha"(Viewing the display of decorations & ornaments) is another amazing experience of pooram which is open for 36 hours.
There is another prelude to Thrissur pooram. The one among the Constituent Poorams Neithilkavu Bhagavathy is privileged to announce that the Thrissur Pooram is ON. The previous day of the Pooram; Devi enters the Vadakkunnathan temple with all accompaniments, pays her salutation to Vadakkunnathan and opens the southern gopuram or entrance tower which is closed on the previous pooram day. Devi moves to western gopuram through maidan to Sreemoolasthanam or main deity center. Devi is received by the Cochin Devaswom board representative and escorted to Nilappaduthara (welcome floor). Here the pooram is announced by blowing the conch thrice.
The Pooram Procession:
KODIYETTAM (flag hoisting)
Flag Hoisting is an official overture ritual that marks the beginning of the festival and is performed at different timings at different temples that are a part of the thrissur pooram.
Timings for Kodiyettam
Laloor: 8.00 to 8.15 am
Ayyanthole: 11.00 to 11.15 am
Thiruvambadi: 11.30 to 11.45 am
Paramekkavu: 12.00 to 12.15 pm
Chembukavu: 6.00 to 6.15 pm.
Panekkumppilly: 6.15 to 6.30 p.m.
Pookattikkara - karamukku: 6.15 to 6.30 pm
Kanimangalam: 6.00 to 6.15 pm
Choorakottukavu: 6.45 to 7.00pm
Neithalkavu: 8.00 to 8.15pm
The Festive Flags.
The flag is hoisted by the celebration committee and the modality is "Padhathy." The majority of temples have permanent flag posts, but the pooram flag is displayed on a makeshift stand fashioned from fresh Arecanut trees. The hoisting is done with the approval of the domain's most senior member (desathe assan).
Here’s something Interesting:
The domain's carpenter cuts the post in a ritualistic manner (Desathe Assari). The carpenter's title is inherited, and he must take a one-week vow before beginning. He also performs the bhoomi pooja. This is the first and only time a non-Brahmin performs a pooja inside the temple's four walls. Carpenters wear the sacred thread at that time, as is customary.
The above practice shows that skills or work has more importance and respect than discrimination on the basis of caste; as the carpenters being a lower caste than that of the priest are actually requested to work on the flag posts every year for the pooram and are given the privilege of performing the Bhoomipooja. Thus the Pooram breaks all barriers of caste and discrimination and includes all.
SCHEDULE:
The festival has a beautiful procession where the deity of the Kanimangalam Sastha temple enters the Vadakkunnathan from the southern gopuram and exits via the western gopuram. [Gopuram: large pyramidal tower at the entrance of the temple]
Similarly the Poorams from the remaining 9 temples arrive at Vadakkunnathan through entries and exits that have been prearranged and settled according to rituals by the people and the festival for years.
All poorams come to an end at "Nilapaduthara '' in the western Goupuram. The Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi pause their pooram at 2.30 a.m. for fireworks at their pandals at Manikandal and Naickanal, respectively, and resume at 7.30 a.m. and 8.00 a.m. from their respective pandals, ending at 11.30 a.m. at Sreemoolasthanam.
THE PRIME DAY:
The morning parade (ezhunellippu) of the Kanimangalam Sastha kicks off the festival. The procession is a tradition that commemorates Devi's visit to the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples. Aside from the two major temples, the Pooram includes eight lesser temples. It should be mentioned that the Vadakkunnathan Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a spectator during the festival, providing the venue and convenience. The temple receives no offerings and incurs no expenses in connection with the Pooram. On this occasion, not even a particular pooja is given.
A beautiful spectacle of 30 caparisoned elephants; transported from various Kerala temples. A competition in the rapid rhythmic changing of vividly coloured and sequined parasols, are among the festival's attractions (Kudamattam). The two sides compete in the Kudamattam by displaying colourful umbrellas of various styles. 'Aana Chamayal Pradarshana' is the name given to the parade of caparisoned elephants. Pancharimel, Pandimelam, and Panchavadyam are traditional percussion ensembles that give an excellent complement to the visual delights. Glistening fireworks light up the sky as the iconic performance comes to a close. The spectacular fireworks by two competing groups representing Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi are held late at night and last three to four hours.
By noon, the Thekkinkadu Maidan is crowded with people watching the procession of the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple. The Paramekkavu Devi procession, which is accompanied by Pandimelam, also enters the Vadakkunnathan shrine. When the procession reaches the Elanji tree inside the temple compound, the brilliant and highly regarded classic musical instrument performance known as Elanjithara Melam begins. When the two temple processions begin, the excitement reaches new heights. The festival concludes with a farewell programme for the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswoms' deities. This celebration is most likely the only one in Kerala that draws such enormous crowds to a single event.
Significance:
Thrissur Pooram, is held at the renowned Temple of Vadakkunnathan. Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples being the two other well-known temples in Thrissur. Lord Parasurama is said to have founded the Vadakkunnathan temple. The main temple structure is nine acres and is surrounded by 64 acres of land known as Thekkinkadu, or teakwood woodland, though there is no forest there presently. The temple's four Gopurams (gateways) are intricately crafted out of wooden pillars using uncommon architectural techniques. The Union Government has designated the temple as a national monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act. According to mythology, Adi Shankaracharya's parents traveled to Thrissur and practiced bhajan for 41 days, after which Vadakkunnathan was born as Shankara. After completing his earthly mission, Adi Shankaracharya is reported to have lost his mortal body here.
In Kerala, fireworks are an integral component of practically every occasion. However, the fireworks of Thrissur Pooram are unique in character, performance, perfection, and scale. Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples fight to deliver the best and most unexpected experiences to the congregation.
In Thrissur Pooram, there are four main fireworks displays. The sample fireworks the day before Pooram, the colorful sparklers that light up the sky (amittu) by both sides on Pooram evening after the Southward Descent, the most impressive event that marks 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 Pooram.
Pooram differs from other temple festivals in that it is not solely a temple celebration. Instead, gods from a number of adjacent temples pay a visit to the temple where pooram is performed. This is similar to the Greek mythology of God's meeting. Each group of people will bring their God or Goddess, along with their decorations and traditions, making any pooram more colorful and exciting. Not only that, but instead of bringing visitors to one temple, these poorams draw visitors from all of the participating temples as well as adjacent communities. The majority of the time, friendly competitive spirits are present to ensure that their goddess does not lag behind other gods and goddesses in terms of decorations and band sets.
The Pooram Effect:
The festival of Thrissur Pooram vividly known for the Elephant parade and all the extravagant decorations has a lot more to preach. It is a festival that captivates a huge amount of people, who come together to enjoy not only the fascinating decoration and competition but at the same they come to celebrate their deities, their culture, their land as people who dwell in it showing the gratitude by being there appreciating the Gods and Goddesses of various temples, celebrating the various mythological knittings and the history of the Kings.
From the perspective of celebrating art, the eco-friendly fireworks and acknowledgment of the intricately carved Gopurams (gateways to the temple) has definitely played an important role in making people realize the importance of what they have and where they live. Each person from the richest to the most poor attends and enjoys the Pooram with all heart, contributing to it with whatever they are capable of contributing.
Hence, Thrissur Pooram isn’t just a parade or religious festival it is a bona fide mark of culture and togetherness which depicts the beauty of human nature in celebrating and preserving our culture without any barriers or limitations.
Thank you.
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