Thrissur Pooram
"Pooram", the two-century-old festival held at the Vadakkunnathan
temple in Thrissur, Kerala, in Apr / May, is the most colourful of all the temple
festivals held in the state. All the temples in the state send their best elephants
to participate. Bedecked with golden headpieces coming down over the trunk,
the elephants go round the temple in a splendid procession t o the accompaniment
of drums, pipes and trumpets. Carrying ceremonial umbrellas and fanned by white
whisks, 30 of these gentle giants amble out majestically through the temple
gate, to line up in 2 rows, facing each other, in the open ground. An elephant
in the center carries the image of Lord Shiva. Each "team of elephants"
has its own Panchavadyam (literally "five instruments",
i.e., conch, cymbals, trumpet and two kinds of drums) orchestra. The umbrellas
are unfurled to the beating of the drums and cheering of the assembled crowds.
Specially appointed judges award a prize for the most spectacular display. The
festival ends with a magnificent display of fireworks that continues till dawn.
Truly, you can call it a mammoth spectacle!
