If you thought that Thrissur Pooram ended with the spectacular changing of parasols or the 'Kudamattom' which is held on the Pooram day evening, you are wrong. There is the firework display late in the night and then, there is the Pakal Pooram and the Upacharam Cholli Piriyal. Two important, yet, not so popular rituals that complete the festival.
Thrissur Pooram: All you need to know about the festival
You may not find reference to these two events in your guide book. These two events are those that a person from Thrissur holds close to their hearts. Caparisoned elephants from Parammekkavu gather at the Manikandanal and the elephants from Thiruvambady gather at the Naykanal. And then they move to the grounds of the Vadakkunnatha temple. The Pakal Pooram lasts for four hours and is a miniature version of the pooram.
Pooram and the four doors of the Vadakkumnatha temple
By noon, the two goddesses - from Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady bid adieu to each other in a very touching ritual known as the Upacharam Cholli Piriyal. They thank each other for participating and the lord Vadakkumnathan for hosting them for the Pooram. They part - with a promise to meet again next year. The festival ends with the two goddesses going back to their respective temples and another display of fireworks.
