THRISSUR, KERALA, INDIA, May 3, 2009: The famous Thrissur Pooram festival, dedicated to Lord Shiva, started on Sunday with elephant processions from eight nearby temples arriving before the Vadakkunathan shrine from early morning.
Of late, Thrissur Pooram, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has been attracting foreign visitors in large numbers, as the event has been listed as a major attraction in the state’s tourism calendar. Among most other religious festivals, Pooram has always been a local favorite.
Thrissur Pooram is celebrated ever year, on the pooram nakshatra day, in the month of Medam (mid-april to mid-may) in the malayalam calendar. Thrissur town plays host, for 36 hours, to one of the most largest collection of people and elephants. The richly decorated elephant procession of fifty or more elephants will pass through the very center of Thrissur town, or the Vadakkunnathan temple.
The small Kerala city was overflowing with people cutting across all religious and social barriers to enjoy the festival. Orchestras enlivened the day, the traditional styles of Panchavadyam and Pandimelam, with leading artistes participating. The first procession, that of Kanimangalam Sastha, started from 7.30 am, followed by those from seven other temples. The convergence of elephant processions from these temples before Vadakkunathan temple marks the finale of the Pooram.
A spectacular fireworks display –all lights and no sound pollution– is scheduled for tomorrow, in keeping with the decision of Pooram authorities to make the festival environment friendly.
In recent years, millions of Keralites around the world have been able to witness the event, with television channels telecasting the festival live.