Thrissur: The Arattupuzha Pooram, the biggest convergence of gods and goddesses (devasangamam), was held on the banks of Karuvannur river on Saturday evening. As many as 23 deities from different temples in the region came together to visit Lord Ayyappa at the Sree Sastha Temple at Arattupuzha, near here. As per belief, all the 33 crore gods in Hindu mythology will be present during the devasangamam. The functionaries of Arattupuzha Kshethra Upadeshaka Samithi said that the pooram was one of the oldest festivals in the country. Its 1,435th edition was celebrated on Saturday.
The major ceremonies of the pooram began at 6 p.m. with Arattupuzha shasta coming out of the temple in a procession (ezhunallippu). The ‘thidambu’ of the deity was taken out of the temple atop a caparisoned elephant. The deity was accompanied by 15 decorated elephants. As many as 250 percussionists performed ‘pancharimelam.’ Padma Shri Peruvanam Kuttan Marar led the melam. The entire pooram venue was brightly lit with traditional lamps and huge flame bearing staff called ‘Theevetti.’
The golden tone of the light created by the flames added to the charm to the pooram spectacle. After the melam, the deity took position at a stand named ‘nilapaduthara’ and later the procession of other gods and goddesses taking part in the pooram began. With the arrival of the Thriprayar Thevar, ‘Koottiyezhunnallippu’ or devasangamam commenced and nearly 80 decorated elephants stood side by side. The holy bath (aarattu) of the deities taking part in the fest will be held at Mandarakadavu in the wee hours of Sunday.
