The Festivals of India

Thrissur Pooram Festival 

by Vikas Kamat

First Online: April 01, 2006
Page Last Updated: February 17, 2024

The Thrissur Pooram festival is celebrated in the state of Kerala in summer, the most spectacular of the festival takes place at the temple of Vadakkunathan (Lord Shiva) near Trichur. Thirty richly and identically decorated elephants carrying ceremonial umbrellas and fanned by whisks are paraded to the temple, and the captain elephant is installed with the idol of Vadakkunathan. The elephants then go around accompanied by loud sounding of trumpets, pipers and crowds. The parade goes past midnight and concludes with a display of fireworks.

V.N. O'key/Kamat's Potpourri
Pooram Festival Celebrations, Kerala
Pooram Festival Celebrations, Kerala

See Also:

  • Indian Elephants -- Section on the elephants of India explores their use in temples, as work-force, and their role in Indian society; includes a FAQ and a number of pictures.

 

 

Festivals of India
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Festivals of India

Festival Pictures
Sweetened Oil Seeds Mark the Sankranti FestivalSchool Girls at an Independence Day Procession Unifromed Boys Hoisting National FlagChariot of Honavar TownArtist Making Idol of GaneshGarudi Festival DollsThe Rakhi Festival
A Priest at BandihabbaCollege students celebrate the Holi festivalTemple on WheelsFireworks During the Deepavali FestivalWoman in festive clothing prepares for worshipA Lighted Christmas Tree Lord Ganesh rides his favorite mouse to earth
The Festival of LightsSanta Claus in a Rangoli Design for ChristmasRangoli to Welcome the New MillenniumUsing Rangoli to Greet Friends and NeighborsRangoli to wish Sankranti GreetingsLord Ganesh in a Floral RangoliA thatched roof temple with Dasara Greetings
Sacrificial TigerGirl Carrying Offerings to Lord KrishnaParade of the Mysore Golden HowdahPlaying Holi by exchanging ColorsPerformer During a Konkani Harvest Festival (Shigmo)Ram Mela FestivalVillagers during a Festival of Gopuja (Worship of Cow)
Temple Chariot, TiruparankundramPresidential Guards at the Republic Day Parade, New DelhiHidimba Devi FestivalCelebrating the Sankranti FestivalFestival Candy vendorA Farmer Carrying a Painted Ceremonial BasketMatam with Zanjeer
Navarathri Greetings.Pongal KolamFestival of ForgivenessSankranti DelicaciesTypical Sankranti Festival SnacksPruning of a Sugar-caneIndian Celebrations
Sugar-cane VendorThe Thread Changing CeremonyThe Vaikunta Ekadashi FestivalWoman with an Oil Lamp

Kamat's Potpourri The Timeless Theater The Festivals of India Thrissur Pooram Festival