05-05-2025
Thrissur Pooram declared open with Vilambaram ritual
Thrissur woke up to the pulse of Pooram on Monday, drums rolling, conches blowing, and hearts racing. The 36-hour-long festivities of Thrissur Pooram officially kicked off as Neythalakavilamma made her majestic entry, escorted with devotion and ceremony, opening the Thekke Gopura Nada of the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple.
Elephant Ernakulam Shivakumar carried the 'thidambu' of Neythalakavu Bhagavathy. Devotees and Pooram enthusiasts gathered at Neythalakavu in Kuttur early in the morning to send off the goddess on her journey to the Vadakkunnathan temple. Ministers K. Rajan and R. Bindu; MLA Xavier Chittilappilly; District Collector Arjun Pandian; and Thrissur City Police Commissioner R. Ilango were present to witness the solemn departure. The ceremonial procession was received at the Sreemoola Sthanam of the Vadakkunnathan temple to the accompaniment of percussion ensembles.
The procession entered through the West Gopuram and exited through the South Gopuram, where elephant Shivakumar greeted the crowd with a raised trunk, completing the Pooram proclamation ritual.
Every participating deity in Thrissur Pooram has a unique role and responsibility. Neythalakavilamma's duty is to pave the path for the entry of Kanımangalam Shasta (another participating deity) early in the morning on Pooram day, symbolically unlocking the South Gopuram.
