Location: Vadakkumnatha Temple, Thrissur, India
Dates: held in (April or May) the Malayalam month of Medam
Level of participation:
Watch big fireworks and big elephants
Thrissur city is the Kerala’s festival hotspot and pooram is the festival that outrank all others.
It was introduces as a spectacle around 200 years ago. It is a celebration bringing together Hindus, Muslims and Christians, though it's mostly about the elephants.
In this parade, two teams each of 15 beautifully caparisoned elephants face off across the Temple Grounds. On each elephant's back there will be two men, one holding a parasol taller than the elephant while the other person waves a yak-tail fan like a feather boa.
The parasols are exchanged among the men as the pandimelam (temple orchestra) plays.
The drums continue to bang through the day, and there is a pyrotechnic display of elephantine proportions at the night. There will also be fireworks for up to four hours.
Essentials:
The festivities starts at 6 am and will be there for about 36 hours. This can be a long day in the temple grounds so bank some sleep if you can.
Local attractions:
The Vadakkumnathan Temple is at the centre of Thrissur. This temple is one of the oldest in kerala. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple but the mound surrounding the temple has sweeping metropolis views.
More info: Visitor Kerala (www.visitorkerala.com)
