Festivals

Thrissur Pooram is arguably Kerala’s most famous and spectacular temple festival. Held annually at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, this festival is a grand celebration of culture, music, and devotion. The festival features a magnificent parade of richly decorated elephants, traditional percussion ensembles known as “Melam,” and dazzling fireworks that light up the night sky. The key highlight is the ‘Para’ (royal umbrella) procession, where different temples come together to showcase their grandeur in a friendly competition.

The state of Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu will celebrate the Malayalam New Year, Vishu, today, on Monday, 14 April 2025. Vishu is a significant Hindu spring festival that symbolises new beginnings and the Sun’s transition to the Mesha Rashi. Vishu, a Sanskrit word which literally translates to equal, is the traditional spring equinox when the day and the night are of equal duration. The festival is observed on the first day of the Malayalam month of Chingam, according to the Drik Panchang.On the day of Vishu celebrations, the traditional ritual of Vishukkani is performed, where the most auspicious object is seen at dawn and is believed to bring happiness and good fortune throughout the year, along with Lord Vishnu’s blessings. It is believed that the first sight, as reflected in the metal mirror, will bring prosperity. A display is also created which includes decorations of flowers, vegetables, fruits, a traditional lamp, metal mirrors, coins, rice, holy text and other items. Called the Vishukkani, these objects are placed inside a metal vessel called Uruli.

Kerala’s iconic Thrissur Pooram festival is set to take place tomorrow, following the ceremonial announcement, known as ‘Pooram Vilambaram’, which was held today in a grand and traditional display. The revered tusker Ernakulam Shivakumar carried the idol of Neythalakav Bhagavathy and ceremoniously opened the southern entrance (Thekke Nada) of the Vadakkumnathan temple, officially marking the commencement of the Pooram festivities. Thousands of devotees and festival enthusiasts gathered at the temple to witness the momentous event.

In Kerala, Onam celebrations are coming to an end with various cultural programmes at different parts of the state. The famous Pulikali was held at Thrissur. As a tradition, performers are painted and dressed like tigers in this Pulikali, which means Tiger Dance.  Processions from different localities assembled at the Swaraj Round of Thrissur.  In the meantime, state-level official Onam celebrations will be concluded at the Capital, Thiruvananthapuram, with a cultural rally tomorrow, which will be flagged off by the Kerala Governor. 

Three grand processions are held on the first day (7.30am-11am, 2.30pm- 6.30pm and 1.30am- 4.00am, after midnight) with caparisoned elephants, Nadaswaram, Panchavadyam, Melam, etc.  From the second day onwards one elephant with Melam, Nadaswaram etc. lead the processions (7.30am-10am, 4pm-6pm and late night around 10.30pm). Other ritual performances held daily are Paadhakam (10-11am), Ottan thullal (1pm-2.30pm), Chakyar Kooth (2.30pm-4pm), Keli, Kuzhalpattu and Kombupattu (around 10.00pm). Classical dance & music concerts (around 7pm), Thayambaka (10pm-11pm) and full night Kathakali (from 2nd day to 5 days around11pm) etc. are staged on these days by renowned artistes.   The temple is under the management of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala and people of all religions can enter the temple. (See separate schedule for Kathakali)

On all these days, the performers start drawing the figure of the deity on the floor, from the afternoon onwards and will be complete in 3-4 hours. The main ritual starts after sunset (8pm- 10.30pm) with a procession, Kalam Pattu (Songs), Kalam Maykkal (remove the picture ritually), etc. The first two days of the procession are usually accompanied by an elephant. The deities drawn here are Lord Vettakkaran, Lord Ayyappan and the Goddess Bhagavathi. Kutiyattam, Krishnanattam, etc are also staged as part of the festival.