Kerala - Thrissur   

Preparations on for Pooram

Of various shapes and colours: (Top)Artisans giving finishing touches to the parasols of the Paramekkavu Devaswom; (above) Thiruvambady Devaswom's fancy umbrellas being decorated.

Thrissur: Preparations are in full swing for Thrissur Pooram that will be celebrated on May 12.

The workshops of the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Devaswoms are a beehive of activity, with artisans giving finishing touches to the elephant accoutrements and parasols to be unfurled at the ‘Kudamattom' ceremony.

A spectacular show of ‘Kudamattom' in which parasols of myriad numbers, designs and colours are displayed by people on the elephants is the highlight of Thrissur Pooram. The Thekkinkad Maidan will become a sea of humanity when ‘Kudamattom' begins in the evening of the Pooram day. In all, 15 elephants each of the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu contingents will stand facing each other.

V.N. Purushothaman, in charge of the preparations of ‘Pooram chamayams' at the Thirvambady Devaswom, said that about 80 per cent of the preparations were already over.

A 10-member team under Mr. Purushothaman had been working day and night for the last four months for preparing the ‘chamayams.'

At the Paramekkavu Devaswom's workshop, a 15-member team led by Vasanthan had been giving the finishing touches to the colourful umbrellas and ornate elephant gears.

Various models of parasols will be introduced by both the wings each year. Each team keeps their collection of colourful umbrellas a top secret and will make them known only on the final day. A stiff competition is witnessed to exhibit them in varied shapes, sizes and colours.

Paramekkavu Devaswom's ‘Chamaya Pradarsanam' (exhibition of accoutrements) will be held at the temple agrasala on May 10. Thiruvambadi Devaswom's exhibition will be held on May 11.

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