Explainer: What is Thrissur Pooram and how can tourists enjoy it?

A spectacle of unparalleled grandeur, Kerala's Thrissur Pooram festival will be held on April 19, Friday. While the pooram lovers of Kerala are familiar with its centuries-old traditions, tourists who wish to check it out can often get overwhelmed by the numerous rituals, processions, performances and ceremonies of the day.
For those who want to understand the festival and enjoy it to the fullest, here's a lowdown on the festivities, tradition and the day's activities that will help you enjoy the melange of sound, colours and caparisoned elephants:

Where is the festival held?
The pooram has been held, for more than two centuries, in one of the oldest temples of Thrissur - Vadakkumnatha Temple. It is located in the heart of the city and is easily accessible by train and bus. The Thekkinkadu Maidan (Thekkinkadu Ground), which surrounds the temple, is the main venue. 

What happens at the pooram?
The festival revolves around a cordial rivalry between the Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple and the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, situated in the vicinity of the Vadakkumnatha Temple. Both the temples strive to outdo each other on various fronts like the procession of elephants, percussion performances, fireworks and display of colourful umbrellas on elephants (also known as the kudamattam ceremony). While these two temples lead the festivities, many other smaller temples in the area also support them with processions, rituals and other cultural events.

What are the main events on the pooram day?
The festivities of April 19, the pooram day, start with 'Khadaka Poorangal' at 6 am. It marks the arrival of processions from subsidiary temples. This is followed by a traditional percussion ensemble performance called 'Madhathil Varavu' at 11 am.

By 2 pm, an ensemble of percussion artists perform the 'Ilanjithara Melam' on the courtyard of Vadakkumnatha Temple. It is held under the Ilanji, or bullet wood, tree. Called pandi melam, the two-and-half-hour performance is based on seven beats taal. This is a specialty of Thrissur Pooram as pandi melam is generally performed outside temple precincts. 

The popular ceremony of 'Kudamattam' happens by 6 pm and the much-awaited display of fireworks (vedikkettu in Malayalam) is held at 3 am the next day. The festivities come to an end after pakal pooram (literally the morning pooram) held at 6 am on April 20. This is likes a recap of the main event held for the Thrissur residents.

How to reach
You can reach the venue Thekkinkadu Maidanam from Nedumbassery Airport (Kochi airport) by a cab. The journey could be around 2 hours (depending on traffic). You can also take public buses from the airport to Angamaly or Aluva, and take another bus from there to Thrissur. You can also take a cab to Angamaly Railway Station and board a train heading to Thrissur Railway Station, and take a cab or autorickshaw to the venue. Buses and cabs are easily available from any part of Kerala to reach Thrissur. 

A sample itinerary
If you reach Thrissur a day in advance (April 18), here's how you can go about exploring the region alongside enjoying the pooram. 
April 18
Morning: Visit Vadakkumnatha Temple. Explore its architecture and history, and take part in the morning rituals if interested.
Afternoon: Check out the local markets and shops in Thrissur where you can buy souvenirs, handicrafts and local food items.
Evening: You can also check out the 'Aana Chamayam' exhibition at Thekkinkadu Maidan. It displays the various elaborate ornaments to be used on elephants taking part in Thrissur Pooram

April 19 (Thrissur Pooram Day)
Morning: Head to Thekkinkadu Maidan around 6 am. Experience the venue coming alive with each ceremony. Also, see how the elephants are decorated and prepared for processions.
Noon: Enjoy the local delicacies either from the various street food stalls set up for the festival or local eateries. You can try a variety of dishes from the traditional Kerala feast aka sadya to Kerala-style biryani, desserts like payasam, Kerala fish curries and more.
Join in the crowd to enjoy 'Madhathil Varavu' and the 'Ilanjithara Melam'.

Evening: Check out the Kudamattam ceremony to see decorated umbrellas exchanged between Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples.
Night: Watch the mesmerising fireworks display illuminating the sky above the Vadakkumnatha Temple. Capture the magical moments on your phones or simply immerse yourself in the festivities.