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The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Thrissur Pooram concludes with ‘Upacharam Cholli Piriyal' ritual
The 2025 Thrissur Pooram wrapped up in spectacular style with the 'Upacharam Cholli Piriyal' ritual on Wednesday, marking an end to the iconic 36-hour cultural extravaganza. The idols of the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples were ceremoniously taken back to their abodes, marking the festival's end. The grand finale was a fitting tribute to Kerala's most celebrated temple festival, which this year drew record-breaking crowd. The final day featured 'Pakal Pooram,' also known as 'Thattakathe Pooram,' a festival within the festival, especially cherished by the local community. Aimed at residents, particularly women who were busy hosting guests during the main Pooram, this celebration saw a vibrant repeat of Tuesday's rituals, complete with a majestic elephant parade, thunderous percussion ensembles, and another round of dazzling fireworks. Vibrant celebration Families, especially women and children, thronged the venue to witness the cultural spectacle, turning the final hours into a vibrant, community-driven celebration. The showstopper was undoubtedly the early morning fireworks, which lit up the Thrissur sky in a mesmerising display. The Thiruvambady Devaswom kicked off the pyrotechnic showdown, followed by the Paramekkavu Devaswom. Both teams thrilled the audience with innovative patterns, breathtaking bursts, and a sheer variety of firework artistry, turning the skies into a living canvas of sound and colour.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Thrissur Pooram 2025: The Met Gala of Elephants, Fireworks, and Drum Battles
On May 7, 2025, isn't just hosting a festival—it's dropping the hottest invite-only (but actually open-to-all) party South India has to offer: Thrissur Pooram . Think Coachella, but with less glitter and way more percussion. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's that annual moment when tradition puts on its biggest gold-trimmed shades and says, 'Let's get loud.' Set in the cultural nucleus of Thrissur, this celestial showdown isn't just about religious devotion—it's about flexing festival muscle. Two temples, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady, face off like it's the Pitch Perfect finals, except instead of acapella, it's thunderous chenda melam drum orchestras, capped with a literal explosion of color and noise that makes Times Square on New Year's Eve look like a tea party. The elephants? Oh, they're not just there for a walk. These tusked titans are decked out like they're attending the Oscars—except their tux is 24-karat golden nettipattams (head ornaments) and fans waving in synchronized choreography. Picture a crossover episode between The Crown and The Jungle Book —it's regal, it's wild, it's everything. And the fireworks? NASA called. They want their launchpads back. The pyrotechnic warfare kicks off in the middle of the night and could wake the ghosts of ancient kings. It's visual chaos, the kind that makes Michael Bay's entire filmography look understated. But beyond the glitz and audible tremors, Thrissur Pooram is the epitome of unity in diversity . Temples, communities, and artists blend in harmony, proving once again that when Kerala decides to throw a party, it doesn't just raise the roof—it launches it into the stratosphere. Anyone still unsure about attending should know this: skipping Thrissur Pooram is like skipping the final episode of Breaking Bad —technically legal, but spiritually unforgivable.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kudamattom rings in colours, vibrant fervour
THRISSUR: As the setting sun painted the sky colourful, the Thekke Gopura Nada (south tower gate) of the Sree Vadakkumnatham temple presented one of the most spectacular of sights — kudamattom. The changing of umbrellas, in a competitive but fun mode, forms the most popular segment of Thrissur Pooram. And on Tuesday, people from all walks of life united in spirit to watch the show of colour and art as two sets of 15 elephants each — from the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms — stood facing each other at Thekkinkadu Maidan, the green hub in the centre of the city. As the percussion performances picked up, the enthusiasts had one hand up in the air, capturing the rhythm of the melam. Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Revenue Minister K Rajan, Higher Education Minister R Bindu, Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, District Collector Arjun Pandian, and caricaturist Jayaraj Warrier were among the prominent personalities in attendance. They walked around mingling with people, with no special consideration, and immersing themselves completely in enjoying the festivities. A massive crowd was witness to the kudamattam which began at 5.45pm, taking the festive spirit to its zenith. At the conclusion of the Elanjithara melam, Paramekkavu Bhagavathy — the deity being carried by tusker Ernakulam Sivakumar — came out of the Vadakkumnathan temple through the southern entrance for the thekkottirakkam. Accompanied by rhythmic panchari melam, Paramekkavu Bhagavathy took a round of the Sakthan statue and returned for the kudamattom. By the time the Paramekkavu Devaswom was ready for the kudamattom, the Thiruvambady Devaswom had completed its Madathil Varavu pandi melam and entered the Vadakkumnathan temple. Despite the intense summer heat, people took in the spirit of the festival, letting out loud cheers for each decorative umbrella raised by the two teams.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Thrissur Pooram erupts in percussive glory
The air in Thrissur on Tuesday synced with the mighty pulse of its iconic Pooram percussion ensembles. Lakhs of people, from the casually curious to the deeply devoted, gathered to witness what has earned the title of one of the greatest rhythmic spectacles in the world. At the soul of this sonic celebration were the Madathil Varavu Panchavadyam of Thiruvambadi and the Ilanjithara Melam of Paramekkavu — two of the most anticipated and revered performances of the festival. With hundreds of expert drummers and pipers in each ensemble, every beat carried tradition, discipline, and an electrifying energy that left the audience spellbound. The Ilanjithara Melam, performed under the Ilanji tree within the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple grounds, was a masterclass in precision and passion. Crowds packed the temple grounds well before the melam began, and though space was tight, the energy was expansive. Not a single misstep was heard as the ensemble filled the air with resonant rhythm, drawing thousands more to stand outside, simply to feel the vibration and hear the magic. On the other side, the Madathil Varavu Panchavadyam played out like a grand feast for the ears. It wasn't just a performance — it was a pulsating wave of sound and celebration. As the drummers and pipers unleashed a cascade of intricate beats, the crowd responded with raised hands, cheers, and awe. The connection between performer and listener was raw, real, and unforgettable.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Illuminated pandals steal the spotlight at Thrissur Pooram
Towering above the festive grounds like celestial lighthouses, three majestic multi-tiered pandals lit up the Thrissur Pooram preview night. These glowing marvels, erected at Naduvilal, Naikkanal, and Manikandanal, dazzled onlookers with their sheer height, intricate design, and digital brilliance. Rising over 100 feet, each of these pandals is a spectacle of luminous artistry. When the lights of the Pandals flickered on just before the sample fireworks on Sunday, the sky was suddenly painted in multiple hues. The pandals, with their precise symmetry and brilliant illumination, stood like towers of light, adding to Pooram's allure. The crowd that came to witness the sample fireworks made it a point to tour each structure. From the royal-themed elegance of Paramekkavu's design to the digital dazzle of Thiruvambady's creations, pandals became not just places to admire but backdrops for a flurry of selfies, status updates, and viral reels. Paramekkavu's majestic Pandal was crafted under the expertise of Nadam Baiju from Edappal. At Manikandanal, Baiju and his team took things a step further, not only adorning the structure with colourful lights, but also incorporating images and videos, giving the Pandal a distinctly modern touch. Built across four tiers on 28 pillars, the structure stands an impressive 108 feet tall. This is the fifth time Baiju has designed and constructed the Pandal for Paramekkavu. Thiruvambady's Naduvilal pandal was the work of Seythalavi of Cheruthuruthy, who has been constructing pandals for the festival for the last 16 years. Inspired by temple towers, this year's structure rose to approximately 110 feet on 24 pillars. The digital lighting effects turned it into a kaleidoscope of wonder. At Thiruvambady's Naikkanal, it was Pallath Manikandan from Cheroor who once again delivered architectural magic. His 90-foot-tall and 32-foot-wide multi-tiered pandal stood like a digital monument, combining intricate design with tech-powered brilliance. In his sixth year contributing to the Thrissur Pooram's visual splendor, Manikandan's creation held its head high, echoing both heritage and innovation.
