Thrissur Pooram is a thrilling and exciting experience, attracting spectators and admirers from across the globe. Lets find out what allures them
The most spectacular festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is aptly called Pooram of all Poorams meaning 'the meeting point of all the arts'. It is a curious assortment of ceremonies, traditional ensembles, pyrotechnic shows and elephant parades. And that is exactly what attracts hundreds of tourists from across the world every year.
At 52 years, Bruce Dauphin, based in Dubai finds Indian culture, especially that of Kerala very intriguing. And watching the grand Thrissur Pooram was on his agenda during his third visit to God’s own country! “I loved the magnifying crowd which grew in lakhs, the pageantry of decorated elephants, the costumes, drums and illuminations, not to forget the astounding display of fireworks,” gushes an enthusiastic Dauphin.
69 year old Dr Graeme Hardie, anthropologist based in US, who has witnessed five Poorams till date couldn’t agree more. “Pooram 2013 was my best experience. The myriad of colours, the decorated elephants, the tremendous fireworks holds the crowd. From the start of Pooram in the early morning as the troops arrive, to the climax of the fireworks in the middle of the night - the pace keeps building and one becomes completely caught up in the spirit of it all,” admits Hardie, a true Pooram aficionado.
Pooram enthusiasts claim that the magnitude and the sheer thrill of the festival cannot be expressed in mere words; it has to be seen and experienced. Hundreds of thousands of spectators throng the ground to witness the dazzling display of sparkly fireworks in various hues lighting up the sky, marking the end of the celebration. "This is the one festival that has to be both heard and seen and it's something one has to experience. In the past I have seen the entire festival on video, but watching it live is a different experience," remarked American tourist Marshneile Sylvester, who had witnessed the Pooram two years back.
According to V K Venkatachalam, secretary, Heritage Animal Taskforce, Thrissur, elephants are a major attraction for the foreigners witnessing Pooram. “Tourists from all over the world come to watch the Pooram every year, some make a travel documentary, some to experience the local culture and some others just for the sheer love of elephants,” he adds.
For 70 year old Else Geraets, museum volunteer at the National Museum, Bangkok, Pooram was a different experience altogether. “I got to watch the elephants relaxing at a spa a day before the Pooram and fed them fruits. It was a unique experience for me to watch the elephants greet Mother Goddess at the temple, by lifting one of its feet and curling the trunk above its head, making that typical truncating sound,” recollects Geraets.
Apart from elephants, one would be awestruck by the magnificent display of skill and colours during the kudamattom, a competition involving the swift rhythmic changing of brightly coloured and sequined parasols atop of the elephants. Bas Pas, a Dutch, who has been organising local tours for Dutch clients in India, for the last 20 years, agrees. “Watching the impressive show of decorated elephants from such close quarters was an unforgettable experience for him and his group of Dutch tourists, who thoroughly enjoyed the Pooram fireworks and had the unique chance to feed the elephants as well,” he added.
Similarly, there is something in store for the music lovers as well. Elanjitharamelam, an amazing percussion ensemble, chendamelam, pandimelam and panchavadyam performances in which about 250 artistes play musical instruments like thimila, madhalam, trumpet, cymbal and edakka add to the charm of the temple festival.
Needless to say, Thrissur Pooram is one of the most electrifying celebration of a regional festival. Pas, sums it up best when he says, “It is one of the most interesting cultural festivals in Kerala, for to be part of the Pooram is to be in the heart of the Keralites.”
The most spectacular festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is aptly called Pooram of all Poorams meaning 'the meeting point of all the arts'. It is a curious assortment of ceremonies, traditional ensembles, pyrotechnic shows and elephant parades. And that is exactly what attracts hundreds of tourists from across the world every year.
At 52 years, Bruce Dauphin, based in Dubai finds Indian culture, especially that of Kerala very intriguing. And watching the grand Thrissur Pooram was on his agenda during his third visit to God’s own country! “I loved the magnifying crowd which grew in lakhs, the pageantry of decorated elephants, the costumes, drums and illuminations, not to forget the astounding display of fireworks,” gushes an enthusiastic Dauphin.
69 year old Dr Graeme Hardie, anthropologist based in US, who has witnessed five Poorams till date couldn’t agree more. “Pooram 2013 was my best experience. The myriad of colours, the decorated elephants, the tremendous fireworks holds the crowd. From the start of Pooram in the early morning as the troops arrive, to the climax of the fireworks in the middle of the night - the pace keeps building and one becomes completely caught up in the spirit of it all,” admits Hardie, a true Pooram aficionado.Pooram enthusiasts claim that the magnitude and the sheer thrill of the festival cannot be expressed in mere words; it has to be seen and experienced. Hundreds of thousands of spectators throng the ground to witness the dazzling display of sparkly fireworks in various hues lighting up the sky, marking the end of the celebration. "This is the one festival that has to be both heard and seen and it's something one has to experience. In the past I have seen the entire festival on video, but watching it live is a different experience," remarked American tourist Marshneile Sylvester, who had witnessed the Pooram two years back.
According to V K Venkatachalam, secretary, Heritage Animal Taskforce, Thrissur, elephants are a major attraction for the foreigners witnessing Pooram. “Tourists from all over the world come to watch the Pooram every year, some make a travel documentary, some to experience the local culture and some others just for the sheer love of elephants,” he adds.
For 70 year old Else Geraets, museum volunteer at the National Museum, Bangkok, Pooram was a different experience altogether. “I got to watch the elephants relaxing at a spa a day before the Pooram and fed them fruits. It was a unique experience for me to watch the elephants greet Mother Goddess at the temple, by lifting one of its feet and curling the trunk above its head, making that typical truncating sound,” recollects Geraets.Apart from elephants, one would be awestruck by the magnificent display of skill and colours during the kudamattom, a competition involving the swift rhythmic changing of brightly coloured and sequined parasols atop of the elephants. Bas Pas, a Dutch, who has been organising local tours for Dutch clients in India, for the last 20 years, agrees. “Watching the impressive show of decorated elephants from such close quarters was an unforgettable experience for him and his group of Dutch tourists, who thoroughly enjoyed the Pooram fireworks and had the unique chance to feed the elephants as well,” he added.
Similarly, there is something in store for the music lovers as well. Elanjitharamelam, an amazing percussion ensemble, chendamelam, pandimelam and panchavadyam performances in which about 250 artistes play musical instruments like thimila, madhalam, trumpet, cymbal and edakka add to the charm of the temple festival.Needless to say, Thrissur Pooram is one of the most electrifying celebration of a regional festival. Pas, sums it up best when he says, “It is one of the most interesting cultural festivals in Kerala, for to be part of the Pooram is to be in the heart of the Keralites.”
sherene.joseph@timesgroup.com
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