Thousands of people flock to Thekkinkadu Maidan; Thrissur Pooram held in full grandeur

THRISSUR: A sea of spectators was mesmerized by the parade of elaborately caparisoned elephants and a high-octane traditional percussion performance during the Thrissur Pooram celebrations staged at the Vadakkunnathan Temple here on Friday. More people attended the renowned Kudamattam this year than the year before.

Thousands of people, regardless of age or religion, flocked to the expansive Thekkinkadu Maidan to watch the renowned Pooram. This annual event is widely referred to as the mother of all temple festivals in the southern state.

During the famed ‘Kudamattam’, which began at around 6 pm, both the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady devaswoms displayed numerous impressive illuminated cutouts of various deities. Kudamattam is a change of colourful ornamental silk parasols in quick succession by people mounted atop the elephants.

The 'Thekke Gopura Nada' and its surroundings were crowded. Every time the parasol was changed, the cheers went up. The police worked hard to control the crowd. Once the Kudamattam was over, thousands flocked to witness the 'Rathri Pooram'.

3500 policemen
The Pooram was heavily guarded by more than 3500 police personnel. 30 DySPs, 60 CIs, 300 SIs, around 3000 civil police officers and 200 women policemen came to Pooram.