Arattupuzha Pooram Festival-Coming Date Arattupuzha Pooram Festival-About Arattupuzha Pooram Festival- Legend of the Arattupuzha Pooram-How to Rich Arattupuzha Pooram Festival Kerala- Arattupuzha Pooram Festival Images- Arattupuzha Pooram Festival Video
Arattupuzha Pooram Festival is Coming on 25bMarch 2013 in Kerala Arattupuzha Pooram Temple.
About Arattupuzha Pooram Festival
Arattupuzha is a culturally significant village located in Thrissur district of Kerala. This village, about 15 km from the town of Thrissur is renowned for the annual festival called Arattupuzha Pooram. The Sree Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, which is believed to be more than 3000 years old and its premises are the venue for the festivities. It is believed that during the festival period, Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity at the Sree Sastha Temple is visited by gods and goddesses of the neighbouring villages.
The festival is celebrated for seven days. All the buildings of the town were beautifully illuminated by strings of colourful bulbs.
Arattupuzha pooram is the largest devamela in the world. A group of elephants and musicians performing in front of the temple is a common sight during the whole festival.
Many palmists, small vendors etc. are also there. The festival falls in March/April.
On the fifth day of the festival, a procession is held in which drummers, and eight elephants accompany the beautiful elephant carrying idols (‘thidambu’) of 23 deities, including Thripayar Thevar, Oorakathamma Thiruvadi, Cherppil Bhagavathy, Chathakudam Sastha, Anthikad Bhagavathy, Thottipal Bhagavathy, Pisharikkal Bhagavathy, Edakkunni Bhagavathy, Ayyunnil Bhagavathy,
Thaikkattussery Bhagavathy, Kaduppassery Bhagavathy, Choorakkottu Bhagavathy, Poonilarkkavil Bhagavathy, Kattupisharikkal Bhagavathy, Chakkamkulangara Sastha, Kodannur Sastha, Nankulam Sastha, Sreemattil Sastha, Nettissery Sastha, Kalloli Sastha, Chittichathakkudam Sastha and Medamkulam Sastha.
The idol of the deity of the Arattupuzha Sastha temple is taken to the Thottipal temple. It is brought back after the Thottipal Pooram to the Sastha temple and then regular rituals and ‘Sreebhoothabali’ are performed.
An elephant peagent is held on the sixth day which features beautifully ornamented 61 elephants. There were huge crowd of people bearing glowing traditional torches, some were dancing, singing and Panchavadyam, nadaswaram, pacharimelam and pandimelam add to the festive tempo. Lord Ayyappa is given holy bath (arattu) with great pomp and gaiety in the Arattupuzha river on the subsequent day.
The caparisoned elephants bear muthukkudas (silken umbrella) and venchamarams (white tufts) make a delightful sight. Traditional art forms are displayed here. The dazzling fire works bedazzle the onlookers with the beauty of sparks which are like jewels embellished in the darkness of night. This sight is amazing! ‘Grama Bali’ is performed. An elephant race is also held.
This colourful festival attracts spectators from all parts of the state. The ceremonial processions of the images of the deities from 41 neighboring temples to the Arattupuzha temple make it a unique festival.
Legend of the Arattupuzha Pooram
Arattupuzha is a village along the Karuvannur river and it is believed that this place is the point where the deities of the entire world converge for a meeting. The official Kerala Tourism website says the festival is believed to be going on from the past 1428 years. The Sree Sastha temple, housing Lord Ayyappa, is said to be more than 3000 years old; this is the site where you find most of the rituals and festivities taking place.
How to Rich Arattupuzha Pooram Festival Kerala
Nearest railway station: Thrissur, about 14 km away. Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 58 km from Thrissur.
