The ‘Thirunakkara Pakal Poram’, modelled on the famed ‘Thrissur Pooram’, complete with caparisoned elephants, ‘kuda maatom’, and percussion ensemble, was held in the presence of thousands of Pooram aficionados on the grounds of Sree Mahadevar Temple at Thirunakkara on the sixth day of the temple festival on Tuesday.
The Pakal Pooram got under way when Thantri Thazhamon Madom Kandararu Mohanaru lighted the traditional lamp by 3.30 p.m. Devaswom Commissioner N. Vasu was the guest of honour.
This was followed by the arrival of 22 caparisoned tuskers who later positioned themselves on the eastern and western sides of the temple ground. With this, the percussion masters commenced their performance at the special Mandapom. The ensemble, modelled on the Paramekavu and Thiruvambadi groups, was led by veterans Chovvallur Mohanan Nair, Guruvayur Kamal Nath, and Kalamandalam Purushothaman and accompanied by 80 other Chenda artistes.
The pooram reached its crescendo when the ‘kudamaattom’ commenced to the fast beats of Chenda.
Cheru Poorams
The day began early when ‘cheru poorams’ started pouring in from the 11 temples in nearby areas. These included the temples at Parepadam, Ambalakadavu, Puthiya Thrikovil, Nagambadom, Pallipurathu Kavu, Thalikotta, Koprathu temple, Eruthickal, Mallurkulangara, Puthanangadi, and the Thirunakkara Sreekrishna Swamy temple. They had assembled at the Thirunakka temple by noon.
Special arrangements were made for women. Arrangements were also made to keep a close eye on the pachyderms and mahouts. A medical team equipped with first-aid facilities camped nearby. The district administration had made arrangements for other services. The curtains came down on the Pooram with a pyrotechnic display.
