Display of temple elephants' ornaments on 'Thrissur Pooram' festival mesmerizes people in Kerala

Swarms of visitors from all over thronged to the exhibition displaying dazzling ornaments that adorn the temple elephants at the 'Thrissur Pooram' festival in Thrissur district of Kerala.

The festival of 'Thrissur Pooram' the largest temple festival of Kerala is a 30- hour show of culture, colour and tradition and celebrated amid great aplomb and fireworks.

The festival has picked up with the display of the ornaments used to adorn the elephants that form part of the festival and are present in the celebrations in all major temples of the city.

A visitor, advocate Gopakumar told reporters that the ornaments were displayed in a big hall so that a large number of people could see them.

"This year we are showing it (ornaments) in a particularly big hall with all its facility and the people are coming in large numbers. And as you know these ornaments are used for the elephant parade during Pooram," said Gopakumar.

All the ornaments are hand-crafted by artisans who are specially called to work at the temple premises.

Money is no consideration and millions are spent every year for the ornaments and other embellishments displayed for the public before the actual procession.

Another major attraction during the festival is 'Koodamattam' or exchange of parasols.

A regular visitor, Dr. Binu, said this year the exhibition was better than last year.

"I have been visiting this exhibition for the past few years. The arrangements are really good so now it is easier for people to come and see. I was worried about the rain but it has not affected the exhibition which is much better than the last time," said Dr. Binu.

Special programmes are organized in all participating temples till the last day amid traditional drumbeats, music and a much- awaited, much- acclaimed fireworks show, which is one of the main attractions of the festival.

According to custom, over 100 caparisoned elephants participate in the public processions during the culmination ceremonies, known as 'Kudamattom'.

The festival is celebrated every year between late April and mid May, on Pooram day when the moon rises with the Pooram star.

King Sakthan Thampuran of the erstwhile Kochi kingdom of the state in the late 18th century is believed to have commenced this festival on a mass scale.

People celebrate the festival crossing all barriers of religion, caste and community.