Pooram

Pooram is a category of Hindu temple festival observed in Kerala, India, and in some parts of Tamil Nadu. The term is linked to the Malayalam word for the astrological nakshatra Pooram, often associated with Purva Phalguni. Poorams are typically annual celebrations held at temples, aligning with specific days in the Malayalam calendar; they may span a single day or several days.

Common features include processions with caparisoned elephants, intricate temple rituals, and percussion ensembles such as chenda melam and pancha vadyam. Many Poorams culminate in elaborate fireworks displays in the evening. In Thrissur, two major temples, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi, participate in a famous display that revolves around the exchange of adorned umbrellas (kudams) and synchronized processions.

Thrissur Pooram, the best-known example, is traditionally dated to the late 18th century under the Kochi royal family. It has grown into a city-wide festival drawing visitors from across Kerala and beyond, featuring hundreds of elephants, large crowd gatherings, and a renowned melam concert. Arattupuzha Pooram is one of the oldest such gatherings, focusing on temple offerings and a long-standing procession linking several local temples.

Today, Poorams remain important cultural and religious events in Kerala, organized by temple trusts (devaswoms) and contributing to regional arts, tourism, and communal participation. They reflect ritual veneration of deities, the upkeep of temple precincts, and the enduring traditions of Kerala’s temple festival culture.