A Colorful Start for Thrissur Peruma

Thrissur peruma, a week long programme organized by Kerala tourism department to uplift and explore the culture and heritage of Thrissur started its first event on 08th January 2014. The tourism department has organized a schedule for each day to the tourists and participants of the first. The inaugural ceremony took place at Thekkinkadu Maidanam, the Vadakkumnathan temple ground of Thrissur. The colorful event was inaugurated by tourism minister of Kerala Shri. Anil Kumar. Followed by the inauguration, there was Thayambaka, by percussion instruments and which is an essential part in a temple festival. Pulikkali, the dance of tigers, which has a trademark of Thrissur, was organized on the same day.

Elephants lined up for Pooram.

The tourism department has tried to make the second day more colorful with a Mini Pooram, that resembles the original Thrissur Pooram, but in a capsule form.
Caparisoned elephants lined up on opposite sides and there was kudamattam, the changing of fancy colorful umbrellas by persons sitting on the elephants, which is a highlight of Thrissur pooram.  There was a session for feeding elephants. The tourists were given a chance to feed the elephants by themselves under the supervision of mahouts.

Aalavattam and Venchamaram for Pooram.

The third day, 10 January 2014, is planned as a trekking to Athirapally – Vazhachal waterfalls in Thrissur dt.. A visit to Thumboormuzhi Natural Butterfly Park and the famous Mappranam Holy Cross Church is arranged thereafter. The group will visit Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy and experience & watch the dance performances there.

On Saturday, 11th of January, they visit Koduganllur Bhagavathy temple and feel & see the Muzris heritage. A drive to heritage site at Kottappuram Fort, the Marthoma church, Cheraman Juma Masjid, KIDDS Kottappuram (A society for handmade products) and Munakkal Beach is the schedule of forenoon session. In the evening Aatta-Peruma, a presentation of Mudras of dance and various art forms like Mohiniyaattam, Nokkuvidya and Pava Kathakali etc. are arranged at Thekkinkad Maidanam of Thrissur.

The festival concludes on 14th January 2014. Each day of the festival is more and more colorful and attracts tourists and visitors.  The concluding ceremony of the festival is planned to be at Vilangan hills, a tourist destination in Thrissur.

Thrissur the cultural capital of Kerala, is rich in culture and heritage. Almost all the days in a year, Thrissur witness various cultural programmes. Vadakkumnathan temple is a famous historical temple in the heart of Thrissur. Thrissur Pooram, considered as the state’s biggest temple festival, is held annually in Thekkinkad Maidanam, the ground of Vadakkumnathan temple.

Pulikkali called the dance of tigers is held every year at Thrisur in connection with onam celebrations. People, specially meant for pulikkali, the dance, appear themselves in the costumes of tiger. They dance and walk in a procession. Pulikkali is an important event for the people at Thrissur in the Onam season.

For details: http://thrissurperuma.com/