Kochi: Hoisting of flags (Kodiyettu) in two main temples were carried out on Wednesday kicking off festivities for Kerala’s flagship festival Thrissur Pooram scheduled for May 6.
The flags were hoisted at Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu and eight smaller temples which are associated with the festival on Wednesday.
The celebrity elephant Thechikottukaavu Ramachandran, will not open the southern gate of the Vadakkumnathan Temple, to kick off the event, due to crowd management.
However, Thechikottukavu Ramachandran will appear in a new role by carrying the deity of Chembookavu Karthyayani Bhagavathy. This would be the first time Ramachandran will be carrying the deity for Chembookavu. Last year Ramachandran carried the idol of Neythalakavilamma.
The ezhunnalippu (procession) will begin on the main Pooram day, before 7 am, following the Sree Bhoothabali ritual at the Chembookavu temple.
The sample fireworks (vedikettu) will be held at 7 pm on May 4, ‘vilambaram’ proclamation and the pooram expo on May 5, the main fireworks at 3 pm on May 7 and the final ceremonies of ‘pakalppooram’ at 8 am and ‘upachaaram chollipiriyal’ 12 pm on the same day.
Touted to have started in the end of 18th century, the pooram has been luring tourists from around the world to witness the mesmerizing moments of human – elephant convergence topped by spirituality.
Elephants are an indispensable element as the opening of the southern gate of Vadakkunathan Siva temple called Vilambaram (proclaimation) is carried out by an elephant.
The event is organised as an offering to Lord Siva the presiding deity at Vadakkumnathan temple.
The pooram in other words is a cultural rivalry between Sree Krishna temple at Thiruvambady and Devi temple at Paramekkavu.
They are backed by caparisoned elephants and orchestras making the festival inimitable.
Eight small temples, having allegiance with Thiruvambadi Sree Krishna temple and Paramekkavu Devi temple, make their contributions in a suitable way to add glory to the event.
Pooram flags hoisted
