Thrissur: The cultural capital is all set to celebrate Thrissur Pooram, the festival of all temple festivals.
The 36-hour-long pooram spectacle begins on Friday morning with the arrival of eight small poorams to Vadakkumnathan temple starting at 7.30 a.m.
Pooram is made of spectacular events such as processions (Ezhunallippu of Pramekkavu temple and ‘Madathil Varavu of Thiruvambadi temple), percussion ensemble Illanjithara Melam, display of coloured umbrellas (Kudamattam), fireworks and the day festival (pakalpooram).
The ‘Madathil Varavu’ procession in which the replica of the idol of the presiding deity of Thiruvambadi temple is taken out from the temple to Naduvil Madom at Pazhayanadakkavu will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Ilanjithara Melam will be held at the Ilanjithara in the Sree Vadakkunnatha Temple at 2 p.m. The Melam, featuring about 250 instrumentalists, will be led by maestro Peruvanam Kuttan Marar.
The most attractive and colourful event in the pooram gala, Kudamattam, will begin at 5.30 p.m. Parasols of varying designs and hues will be raised atop two groups of 15 caparisoned elephants lined up facing each other near the southern entrance tower of the Vadakkumnathan temple at 5.30 p.m. and the thrilling competition of raising the parasols of varying colours by both Thiruvambadi and Pramekkavu will go on till 6.30 p.m.
The other prime event of the pooram is the grand show of fireworks at 3. a.m. on Saturday that creates a spectacle on the sky above Thekkinkkad Maidan in the heart of Thrissur town with light, sound and colours.
Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi devaswoms will parade their 15 elephants on both the sides of the western entrance tower of the Vadakkumnathan Temple by 8 am and the leading elephant from each side will come forward to bid farewell in front of the tower, bringing curtains down on the one-and-a-half day long fete.
