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Kerala (
Trissur )
INTRODUCTION
Trissur known as "Tiru-Shiva-Perur"
is a town named after Lord Shiva. Lying in central
Kerala, it is known for its several popular shrines.
The Vadakkumnathan kshetram, where the reigning deity
is Lord Shiva, is situated on a hillock in the heart of
the town. Exquisite murals here narrate the epic of the
Mahabharatha. This temple is especially known for its
spectacular celebration of the Pooram festival, which
is conducted in April at the 'maidan' opposite the
temple. It is a magnificent spectable with night-long
fireworks and a splendid procession of elephants.
The other main temples in the town
are the Paramekkavu Temple dedicated to Bhagwati or
Durga and the Thiruvambadi Temple which is dedicated to
Lord Krishna. For the Pooram, they provide splendidly
caparisoned elephants in the richest of adornments with
their mahouts holding parasols of coloured silk. The
presentation for the festival is meticulously planned
and carefully guarded, for they engage in a friendly
competition for the Pooram arrives, the elephants in
their disciplined dignity line up on the opposite sides
of the 'maidan' to the music of the traditional
panchavadyam - the conch, cymbals, trumpet and two
kinds of drums. The festivity begins to the feverish
rhythm of the drums and the opposing parties unveil
their splendid displays of coloured parasols, waving
peacock fans and yak hair fly whisks.
The excitement filled day slowly
fades into the quientness of evening twilight,
heralding dusk to dawn fireworks display that enthralls
the gathered participants.
January is another festive time in
Thrissur when the Great Elephant March takes place, (9
to 12 January each year) - with colourful events that
are successively staged in Thrissur, Alappuzha and
Thiruvananthapuram. They include Thrisur's splendid
elephant pageant, performances of masked dances,
display of Keralas martial arts and boat races on the
back waters.
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