The Hindu : Thrissur Pooram celebrated with fervour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Thrissur Pooram celebrated with fervour

By Our Staff Reporter

THRISSUR MAY 10. The much-acclaimed Thrissur Pooram was celebrated today with all its traditional gusto and spectacular ingredients, though some elephants caused anxious moments on a couple of occasions.

Right from morning, the city, particularly the Swaraj Round and the Thekkinkadu Maidan situated at its centre, was paying to host to a series of exciting events of the Pooram -- drum concerts, procession of caparisoned elephants, exchange of parasoles and fireworks display-- at their best. Though the crowd was not very heavy for the morning and noon events, a sea of humanity was visible in the Thekke Gopura Nada area of the maidan in the evening to watch the most-awaited `kudamattom' (exchange of parasoles). The intense sun could be one factor that had thinned the attendance early in the day, but by afternoon the sky had become cloudy.

As usual, it was the procession of the Kanimagalam Sastha which first entered the sprawling maidan. However, the maiden procession itself gave some tense moments when one of the elephants went astray disobeying the instructions of the mahouts, at Kokkala. The elephant entered the nearby veterinary hospital and it was brought under control there.

Soon the processions of the other seven minor participating temples also entered the maidan one after the other. Again, two elephants in the procession of the Naithilakkavu temple attacked each other when the procession reached the Naduvilal side. Both the elephants were brought under control at the nearby CMS School premises. A mahout was injured in the incident.

The `Madathil varavu' of the procession of the Thiruvambady temple drew loud cheers from the Pooram fans. The Paramekkavu procession began around 12 noon and with the accompaniment of Pandimelam entered the Vadakkunnathan temple compound through the eastern gate. The scintillating `Elanjithara melam' began when the procession reached the elanji tree inside the temple compound. The excitement of the Pooram reached its zenith when the processions of the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples stood facing each other at the Thekke Gopura Nada area. Again, two elephants of the Thiruvambady side locked their trunks together pulling in opposite sides during the `kudamattom' session.

The crowd immediately became panic, but soon the elephants became cool. The `kudamattom' show was restored soon. The Sankaracharya of Kanchi, Jayendra Saraswathy Swamigal and Swamy Vijayendra Saraswarthy, who were the special guests this time, were provided with special seating arrangements.

The day-time events were over with a brief fireworks display. The night-time `ezhunnellippu' began late in the evening from various temples.

The awe-inspiring fireworks display will be held between 3 a.m. and 5.30 a.m. if there is no rain then. The Pooram will conclude with the farewell ritual of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu at about noon on Sunday in front of the Vadakkunnathan temple.

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