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THRISSUR, INDIA, May 10, 2003: Thousands of people witnessed the famous Thrissur Pooram, the festival of festivals comprising a day and night carnival of colorful pageantry, a parade of caparisoned tuskers and a profuse exhibition of Kerala’s traditional art forms. The Pooram started with the convergence of processions from eight temples in and around at the famous Vadakkumnathan Temple located on a hillock in the heart of the city. The famous Kudamattom (change of ornamental umbrellas) by mahouts on top of 15 caparisoned elephants lined up on each side of the sprawling Thekinkadu Maidan was held amidst the beat of percussion instruments. The Pooram, drawing a large crowd from far and wide cutting across religious and regional barriers, was started in 1798 through a royal proclamation by prince Raja Rama Varma, popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran, of erstwhile Kochi state. The main poorams conducted in a competitive spirit by Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Devaswoms end with a spectacular display of the fireworks in the wee hours of Sunday. This year’s pooram is the 205th edition of the annual event.

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