(IN) The biggest elephant torture 'pooram' today

[Guest guest]

*All set for Thrissur Pooram today *

 

**

Staff Reporter

 

*Thousands arrive to witness the sights and sounds of the festival *

 

Photo: K.K. Najeeb

 

*Ready for the show: Umbrellas to be displayed at Thrissur Pooram on Sunday.

— *

 

Thrissur: Thrissur Pooram will be celebrated on Sunday.

 

Thousands of people have started arriving here to savour the sights and

sounds of one of the important socio-religious festivals in the State.

Elephant parades, traditional musical ensembles, religious rites and

fireworks display are the highlights of the Pooram, conducted jointly by the

Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Devaswoms.

 

“Arrangements are nearly over. Elephants are being given proper rest before

the parades. They are being washed and fed properly. Work on ornamental

umbrellas is over. All is set for the 30-hour gala,” said M.C.S. Menon,

Thiruvambady Devaswom president.

 

Each Devaswom pegs its festival budget at Rs.60 lakh, the bulk of which is

raised through Pooram exhibition held at the Thekkinkad Maidan.

Contributions from devotees constitute the rest.

 

“Captive elephant management and fire safety rules will be strictly

followed,” said K. Manoharan, Paramekkavu Devaswom president.

 

Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples take out processions to the Thekkinkad

Maidan during the festival, which is considered a symbolic meeting of

Goddesses at the abode of the deity of Sree Vadakkunnathan temple.

 

Elephants Kuttankulangara Arjunan and Thiruvambady Sivasundar will bear the

‘thidambu’ (idol) of the Paramekkavu Bhagavathy and Thiruvambady Bhagavathy

respectively.

 

One of the most colourful events of the day, ‘Kudamattom’ (display of

ornamental umbrellas), will be staged around 5.30 p.m.

Ceremonies

 

The ceremonies will begin with the arrival of Cheru Poorams (smaller

processions) from Kanimangalam Sastha, Karamukku Bhagavathy, Neythilakavu

Bhagavathy, Lalur Bhagavathy, Panamukkampalli Sastha, Choorakkottukavu

Durga, Ayyanthole Karthyayani and Chembukkavu Karthyayani temples.

 

Pooram proper will begin with a procession (‘Madathil Varavu’) from the

Thiruvambady temple around 7.30 a.m.

 

Thrissur Pooram presents traditional musical ensembles in their purest form.

They include Panchavadyam, Pandi Melam and Ilanjithara Melam, led by

Annamanada Parameswara Marar, Mattannur Sankarankutty and Peruvanam Kuttan

Marar. Ilanjithara Melam will start at 2 p.m.

 

The main Pooram fireworks will be held on May 4 at 3 a.m.

 

Pyrotechnicians Mundathikodu Mani and Vennur Rajan will supervise the

Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu pyrotechnic shows respectively.

 

Elaborate security arrangements are in place.

 

The city wears a festive look with streets packed with revellers.

 

Hotels are heavily booked. Illuminated pandals have been set up at the

Swaraj Round. Wayside vendors have occupied pavements, selling everything

from clothes and bangles.