The Hindu : Kerala News : Thousands witness Thrissur pooram

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Saturday, May 01, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Thousands witness Thrissur pooram

By Our Staff Reporter

THRISSUR, APRIL 30. Thousands of people thronged the Thekkinkad Maidan at the heart of the city to witness the Thrissur pooram today. A sea of revellers filled the arterial roads and every bylane. And, the entire city wore a festive look. People from the suburbs and neighbouring districts started pouring in as early as 3 a.m.

The Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples, the friendly competition between which animated Pooram celebrations, were richly decorated. The Swaraj Round sported huge illuminated multi-storeyed `pandals' erected by the Devaswoms.

The festivities gathered momentum with the arrival of processions from minor temples at Kanimangalam, Panamukkampilly, Chembukkavu, Karamukku, Laloor, Choorakkottukavu, Ayyanthole and Neythalakkavu. The `Madathil Varavu' ceremony, in which the idol of the Thiruvambadi Bhagavathy was taken out in a procession to the "Brahmaswom Madom", west of the Maidan, began at 11-30 a.m.

As the "Panchavadyam" (traditional ensemble), led by Annamanada Parameswara Marar, reached a crescendo, percussion enthusiasts were seen waving their hands in joy. The smooth-sounding "Panchavadyam" made way to the snappy Pandimelam, led by Pallassana Ponnukutta Marar. A procession (`ezhunnallippu') carried the idol of Paramekkavu Bhagavathy to the Maidan in the afternoon.

A band of percussionists, led by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar, drummed up excitement at the Ilanjithara Melam. Thousands of people gathered inside the Vadakkunatha temple at 2-30 p.m. to watch the event.

The idols were carried by the elephants Thiruvambadi Sivasundar and Paramekkavu Sree Parameswaran. After the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi contingents lined up at the Maidan at 5-30 p.m., each displaying 15 caparisoned elephants, `Kudamattom' (exhibition of a variety of decorative umbrellas) began.

When umbrellas of different shapes and sizes were unfolded, the excitement among the crowds rose.

Workers perched on top of the elephants displayed `alavattom' (decorative fans) and `venchamaram' (bunches of yak fur).

According to officials, the celebrations cost Rs. 40 lakhs each for the Devaswoms, much of which has been raised through the ongoing exhibition at the Maidan.

The 30-hour pooram celebrations would conclude on Saturday.

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