Pooram festivities begin

: The festivities of the week-long Thrissur Pooram celebrations began here on Monday with the ceremonial ‘Kodiyettam’ (flag-hoisting ) by the participating temples.

The ceremonies started at the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples, the main participants of the Pooram, at noon.

Thrissur Pooram is on April 17. The main fireworks will be held early morning on April 18.

The Devaswoms did not hold the usual fireworks display following the flag-hoisting ceremony as a mark of respect to those who had lost their lives in the fireworks accident in Kollam on Sunday.

The flag hoisting ceremonies were held between 11.30 a.m. and 12 noon at Thiruvambadi temple.

Thazhathupurakkal Sundaran and Sushit tied the flag to the mast after Bhoomi Pooja. Special pujas were held. ‘Pooram Purappad’ began at 2.45 p.m. Elephant Thiruvambadi Sivasundar carried the idol. It coincided with hoisting of flags at Naduvilal and Naikanal.

The Kodiyettam ceremonies were held at the Paramekkavu temple between 12.25 p.m. and 12.50 p.m.

The temple also celebrated the Prathista Day on Monday. Seeveli held with the accompaniment of Panchari Melam of Peruvanam Kuttan Marar.

Chembil Kuttanasari prepared the Kodimaram. The idol of the Bhagavathi was brought out in a procession accompanied with five elephants .

Deities of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples are the main participants of the Thrissur Pooram. The major part of the pooram celebrations are held by these two temples.

Kodiyettam ceremonies were held in the other participating temples such as Ayyanthole, Naithalakkavu, Choorakkattukavu, Lalur, Kanimangalam, Panamukkampilly, Chembukkavu and Karamukku temples too.

There will be special festival programmes in all the participating temples for the remaining days up to Pooram. The first round of display of fireworks, the sample ‘vedikkettu’, will be held on April 15.