Thrissur Pooram
Thrissūr Pūram is one of the colourful festivals of Kerala which attracts thousands of people from all over the world and it falls in the month of Maḍom (April-May). The festivities consist of colourful, rich processions of elephants and sparkling fireworks. The processions are at its best from the Krishna Temple at Thiruvambāḍi and the Dhevi Temple at Paramekkāvu which is a significant event for its devotees. The tradition says that the festival had been introduced by Śhākthan Thampurān who was the king of Kochi state. Vadakkunnāthan temple is the venue of the Pūram festival. The dazzling display of fireworks begins early in the morning and lasts for more than three hours marking the occasion. There are two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissūr Paramekkāvu and Thiruvambāḍi competing with each other in displaying the fireworks making the occasion more joyful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and both the groups put their best efforts to secure the best elephants of South India. The procession of the Thiruvambāḍi Pūram to the grounds of Vadakkunnātha temple is a feast to the eyes of the spectators. Panchavādhyam, combination of five percussion and wind instruments highlights the enjoyment of the occasion.
