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Pooram is one of the nakshatras or star in the hindu panchangam. There 27 Nakshatras in the hindu panchangam and a million or more temples in Kerala, and this combination creates numerous posibilities for auspicious occasions, with each temple having varying importance for the different stars. However, over the years, the pooram nakshatram has gained special significance in its association with temple festivals, mainly because of its association with Thrissur. It has now taken on a different meaning all together, because of the huge congregation of people during the pooram festival in Thrissur.

Thrissur Pooram is today, rightfully, called 'the pooram of all poorams', meaning the biggest or the best of all poorams. The Thrissur pooram, is celebrated every year, on the pooram day, in the month of Medam (mid-april to mid-may) month as per the malayalam calendar. While all poorams, have a huge influence on surrounding neighborhoods and towns, few other festivals require their active involvement. Thrissur town plays host, for 36 hours from the wee hours of the pooram day, to one of the most largest collection of people and elephants. The richly decorated elephant, as seen during the Thrissur pooram, is now globally recognized, and its association with Kerala. On the pooram day, fifty or more elephants will pass through the very center of Thrissur town, or the Vadakkunnathan temple. The main features of the pooram festival are these decorated elephants with their nettipattam (decorative headdress), beautiful crafted koda (parasol or umberalla), the kolam, decorative bells and ornaments etc. Add to this the panchavadyam, the rhythmic beating of the drum, and what would be a cacophony otherwise is turned into an organized but spontaneous symphony. The fireworks display in the early hours of the next day, will rival shows held anywhere in the world, without even using many of the modern and newer pyrotechnics.

It is celebrated in Vadakkumnathan temple in the Thrissur district. The festival makes no distinction between people on the basis of religion or caste. The Pooram commences with the ezhunellippu of the Kanimangalam Shasta in the morning followed by the ezhunnellippu of the other six minor temples on the Pooram Day. The ezhunnellippu is a custom that signifies the visit of Devi from the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples to the Vadakkunnathan temple. Panchavadya, performances by Thimila, Maddalam, Trumpet, Cymbal and Edakka artists are other major programs of Thrissur Pooram festival. A special musical show, called as Pandemelam event, is performed by artistes belonging to the disciplines of trumpets, drum, pipe and cymbal. The festival ends with a farewell program for the deities of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams.

During the festival season, Thrissur, popularly known as the temple town turns into a town of colour, music and mirth. The Pooram programmes extending about 36 hours begins with the ezhunellippu of the Kanimangalam Shasta in the morning and is followed by the ezhunnellippu of the other six minor temples on the Pooram Day.

The ezhunnellippu programme, which is considered to be a ritual sybolising the visit of the Devi from the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples to the Vadakkunnathan temple. A major event of the Pooram festival is the Panchavadyam in which about 200 artistes from the disciplines of Thimila, Maddalam, Trumpet, Cymbal and Edakka participate. Another major event of the pooram begins with the setting off of the 'Pandemelam'at noon in which about 200 artistes in the disciplines of drum, trumpets, pipe and cymbal participate. The grand finale of this festival of colour, music and fire works would be marked with a function of bidding farewell to the deities of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams in front of the Western Gate of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. A noteworthy feature of the pooram festival is the participation of large numbers of people and elephants. The pachyderms emerge out in all their regalia with newly fabricated caparisons. They make their way through the milling crowds drawn from all religions, castes and creed to the accompaniment of ecstatic percussion ensembles. The exhibition of the paraphernalia of elephant decorative, commonly known as 'Aana Chamayal pradarsanam', the spectacular show of 'Kudamattom' in which parasols of myriad numbers, designs and colours are exchanged by the people atop the elephants.

In the evening of Pooram, two lines of 13 elephants face each other on the ground. Each elephant bears an umbrella holder, a peacock-fan carrier and a yak-tail flywhisk wielder. Percussion and wind orchestras stand in between the lines of elephants. With an increase in the volume of each orchestra, a new display of ceremonial umbrellas blossoms over the elephants and continues till sunset. The Pooram concludes with brilliant display of the fireworks in the evening, which continues till late hours of the next morning. Some of the main Pooram celebrations are at Aratupuzha, Thrissur, Uthralikavu, Cheeramkulangara, Pariyanampetta, Mannarkad, Perumanam, Aryankavu, Mangottu, Medamkulangara, Kodikal and Thirumandhamkunnu.

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The Shakthan Thampuran Palace
The Shakthan Thampuran Palace, also known as Vadakkekara Palace was constructed by the great ruler of Cochin, Shakthan Thampuran and rebuilt in 1795 by Sri. Ramavarma Thampuran. The style of architecture bears considerable Dutch influences.

Anakkayam
Anakkayam is roughly 20 kms from Chalakudy on the Sholayar Peringalkuthu route, famous for its lake with cool and placid waters. The place got its name from a herd of elephants which used to visit the place quite often and the legend goes that the place got its name because some elephants had been drowned in this lake.

Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam)
North of Thrissur, 29km away near the Shoranur Railway Junction is Cheruthuruthy, home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form.

Vadakkumnathan Temple
This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architectrue. The temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy, Sankaranarayana, Ganapathy, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The central shrines and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend goes that this temple was founded by Parasurama. ' Thrissur Pooram ' the grandest temple pageantry in Kerala, is celebrated here in April -May every year.

Art Museum
Within the zoo compound is the small Art Museum which has a good collection of wood carvings metal sculptures, Kathakali figures, and ancient jewellery. There is also a wonderful collection of traditional Kerala lamps.

The Church of Our Lady of Dolors
The Church of Our Lady of Dolors, Thrissur is also known as the New Church and is the biggest church in South Asia.

Peechi Dam
Peechi Dam, 23km fromThrissur is an irrigation project site which offers boating facilities at the reservoir. If you are lucky, you might even spot a wild tusker or two on the forested banks, which form part of the 125 sq. km Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Archeological & Art Museum at Thrissur
The Archeological & Art Museum at Thrissur is a depository of graceful stone sculptures, antique jewelry and intricately carved wooden handicrafts.

Thrissur Zoo
Thrissur Zoo houses a number of wildlife animals and attracts locals and tourists alike.

Punnathur Kotta
Near Guruvayur, 2km away, is 'Punnathur Kotta', the place where the temple elephants (numbering over 40) are taken care of. Nowhere else can so many elephants be seen at any one time.

Kerala Sahitya Academy
Kerala Sahitya Academy in collaboration with the Kendriya Sahitya Academy in New Delhi aims at encouraging Malayalam language and promoting its literature especially to the younger generations.

Guruvayur (Pilgrim Centre)
Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim tripto Guruvayur, 32km away. It is among India'smost important pilgrimage centres and is also known as the Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th centrury. Tradition has it that the temple was created by Guru - the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu - the lord of the Winds.

Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy (1962) was established in an attempt to promote the performing and fine arts of the state which had fallen into a decline.

Vilangan Kunnu
Vilangan Kunnu in Thrissur is a recreational center and a picnic spot where various amusement devices for children have been constructed.

Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy
Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy in Thrissur was established to promote dance, theater and music in Kerala. Thanks to its efforts Thrissur can now boast of a theatre with all modern amenities.

Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls
East of Chalakudy, near the entrance to the Sholayar forest ranges, are the beautiful waterfalls of Athirapally and Vazhachal, 5 km apart. These waterfalls are a place of scenic beauty , and is of 80 feet high.

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Viyyoor Police Station
Thrissur, Kerala, India

Ayyanthole Police Station
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala, India 0487 2363608

Peramangalam Police Station
Thrissur, Kerala, India

Anthikkad Police Station
Thrissur, Kerala, India

wadakanchery police station
Wadackanchery, Thrissur, Kerala, India 04884 233100

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Guruvayoor, Thrissur, Kerala, India

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Kattoor Town, Thrissur, Kerala, India

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SH 22, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala, India

Puvathur Police Station
Thrissur, Kerala, India

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Kodakara, Thrissur, Kerala, India

Nearest Hospital:

Modern Hospital Kodungallur
P.O. Box No:22, Kodungallur Post, Thrissur, Kerala 680664, India 0480 2802022

Nilayoram Resorts & Ayurvedic Centre
Painkulam Post, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur, Kerala 679531, India 09847044244

Sree Chithra Ayur Home
Manathala, Chavakkad, Thrissur, Kerala 680506, India 09895091639
Category: Ayurveda Hospitals

Danya Hospitals
Thrissur, Kerala, India

Nairs Hospital
Nairs Hospital, N H Bypass, Ernakulam, Kerala 682304, India 0484 2302666

Samaritan Hospital
Pazhanganad, Kizhakkambalam, Ernakulam, Kerala 680562, India 0484 2680511

Electronics Diagnostics
Changampuzha Nagar, Opposite Federal Bank Atm, Kalamassery, Ernakulam, Kerala 680104, India 0484 2541951

Specialist Hospital
K C M Mather Road, Ernakulam, Ernakulam, Kerala, India 0484 2395952

Janatha Hospital
Market Road, Alwaye Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala 680101, India 0484 2624931

Ranjini Eye Hospital
Near Powerhouse, Vyttila, Kochi, Cochin, Kerala 682019, India 0484 2301922

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