Celebrating the Festival of Elephants in Thrissur, Kerala

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Distance from Mumbai: 1407 kilometres

Religion and festivities go hand in hand in India and there are many festivals celebrated across the country throughout the year. One of the most colourful temple festivals in India is celebrated in Thrissur, Kerala, in the Malyalam month of Medom (usually around April-May). The Thrissur Pooram is a spectacle like none other. The celebration is held at the Vadakkumnatha Temple and in 2013, Pooram was on April 21. Along with the festival, there is also the Thrissur Pooram exhibition that is worth visiting. In fact, 2013 is its golden jubilee year and the exhibition is on from April 1 to May 22 at the Thekkinkad Maidan, in the temple premises.      

 

Vadakkumnatha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the oldest temples in Kerala and is located on a hillock right in the middle of Thrissur. During Thrissur Pooram, temples in and around Thrissur are invited to bring their deities to the temple. The entire procession and festivities last for 36 hours, without a break. The gods and goddesses arrive at the temple on beautifully caparisoned elephants. The men riding the elephants hold giant colourful parasols or umbrellas, which are specially prepared for the festival. The elephants face off and on the beats of the temple orchestra and the parasols are exchanged among the men riding the elephants. The processions and drums go on all day and the festival comes to a close with a spectacular display of fireworks. Though the temple is a Hindu one, Pooram is celebrated by people of all religions and is a truly secular festival.

 

Thrissur has a few hotels close to the temple that can be your base during the festival. The Lulu International Convention Centre & Garden Hotels is a nice luxury stay about 4.5 kilometres from the festival venue. Joy’s Palace on T B Road, about 3 kilometres away, is a mid-range hotel. The business class Hotel Grand Park Regency on Kuruppam Road is just 2 kilometres from the temple and is a good budget option. MakeMyTrip offers several last minute deals on hotels so check them out before you finalise your stay. Since you’ll be travelling to Kerala, it would be a crime to not explore the rest of God’s Own Country! MakeMyTrip has exciting Kerala packages to suit all budgets so make the most of your visit to the state.

Getting There

The nearest airport to Thrissur is the Kochi airport, about 85 kilometres away. From the airport you can book a prepaid taxi to bring you to Thrissur. If you’re arriving in Thrissur by train, the railway station is just 3.4 kilometres from the temple. The KSRTC bus stand is also 2.5 kilometres away and the bus can also be a good option to get to Thrissur from other cities in Kerala. 

Witness the unique Elephant Festival in Thrissur. Book your flight to Kochi or catch a direct train to Thrissur on MakeMyTrip.