Thrissur Pooram: From LED umbrellas to moving displays, Kudamattam leaves festival lovers spellbound

Mother of all poorams, Thrissur Pooram, acclaimed as Kerala's grandest festival, continues to unfold at the historic Vadakkunnathan Temple grounds. As always, lakhs of spectators from across the state and beyond are adding colour to the 200-plus-year-old festival. The festivities began with the ceremonial entrance of 'Kanimangalam Sastha through the southern gopuram and it was followed by the arrival of Panamukkampilly Sathavu, Chembookavu Karthiayani Devi, Karamukku Karthiyani Devi, Choorakkottukavu Durga Devi, Ayyanthole Karthiayani Devi, and Naithalakavu Bhagavathi.

The pooram crowd was delighted when the popular tusker Thechikottukavu Ramachandran arrived, holding the idol of Chembookavu Bhagavathi. The Madhathil Varavu panchavadyam was led by percussionist Kongad Madhu, and the Chembada melam performance was helmed by Kizhakkoottu Aniyan Marar. The ilanjithara melam performance began at 2.40 pm. The 'Thekkottirakkam' procession, in which Paramekkavu Bhagavathy arrives on tusker Guruvayur Nandan, has just begun. Around 15 elephants are part of the procession. Pooram day's most awaited ceremony of 'Kudamattam,' a feast of multi-coloured, creative umbrellas, concluded at the venue around 8 pm.

A vibrant array of umbrellas took centre stage during the 'Kudamattam', with Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi Devaswoms presenting an impressive collection. Among them were specially designed umbrellas featuring deities Lord Krishna, Ganapathi, and Shiva, among others, along with Sivalinga and Narasimha. Multi-coloured and multi-layered umbrellas added to the grandeur, while LED-lit umbrellas dazzled the crowd with their luminous beauty.

The 'Kudamattam' unfolded as a high-energy spectacle, with loud cheers from the crowd amplifying the festive spirit. Adding to the visual delight were moving displays, including a captivating umbrella displaying a young boy with a chenda.

Traffic restrictions will be in place around the Thrissur round until the conclusion of Pooram. Private vehicles will be allowed only up to the outer ring. Residents of the area must carry identity cards for entry. Here are the ceremonies to be held tomorrow. 

May 7, Final ceremonies (Wednesday)
3 am - Fireworks
10 am - Pakalpooram
12 - Upacharam chollipiriyal

Star jumbos of the fest
1) Ernakulam Sivakumar - He took the 'thidambu' of Naithalakkavilamma for 'poora vilambaram' ceremony. 
2) Thechikottukavu Ramachandran - The elephant carried the idol of Chembookavu Karthyayani Bhagavathy.
3) Guruvayur Nandhan - Carried the idol of Paramekkavu Bhagavathy for Elanjithara Melam and Kudamattom

4) Thiruvambady Chandrasekahran - Carried the idol of Thiruvambady Bhagavathy for Kudamattom and Madhathil Varavu. 
5) Paramekkavu Kasinathan - Carried the Bhagavathy's idol for Arattu.
Pambady Rajan, Puthupally Arjunan, Pallat Brahmadathan, Kuttankulangara Arjunan, Bastin Vianayasundar, Thiruvazhapilly Mahadevan, Thadathavila Rajasekharan and Koodalmanickyam Megharjunan were a few of the other prominent elephants.  

Thrissur Pooram expo
The 'Aana Chamayam' exhibition, featuring the ornaments of elephants taking part in the festival, began on Saturday, May 3. It will be on till the end of the month. It has over 180 stalls with more than 70 pavilions, including those from government institutions like the Kerala Police, ISRO, BSNL, Excise Department, Farm Information Bureau and the NCC. Robotics animal display, Super Reality 5D Dome Theatre, cultural programmes and more are lined up. The entry fee is Rs 40 on regular days and Rs 50 on the pooram day and on May 7. Find more information here.