Presentation TitleThe Thrissur Pooram - Feast for the Eyes and Ears

Thrissur Pooram 2014

Thrissur Pooram is called 'the pooram of all poorams' (festival). UNESCO adjudged Thrissur Pooram as “the most spectacular festival event on the planet . It is the biggest of all poorams held in Kerala state. The Thrissur pooram, is celebrated every year in the month of Medam (mid-April to mid-may) as per the malayalam calendar. This year Pooram will be expected to celebrate on 9th of May,2014 and is a must-do in every South India Tour Package.

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While India is considered to be between 5000 to 10000 years old, and many rituals, customs and festivals date back centuries, the Thrissur pooram is only about 200 or more years old. It was orchestrated by the then ruler of Cochin, Sakthan Thampuran or Raja Rama Varma, in 1798. Sakthan Thampuran, so known for his firm and decisive administration, decided to break tradition and create a venue for the temples belonging to his region to celebrate their pooram festival.

The entire Pooram features about 96 elephants and is a sort of a friendly competition between two temples - The Thiruvambady Bhagavathi and Paramekkavu Bhagavathi with the Sree Vadakumnathan Temple playing a role almost equivalent to a mediator. Most India tour operators include this festival in their itinerary if the dates are convenient.

The processions and rituals of each of these deities follow a very strict itinerary, scheduled in such a way that the tempo of the Pooram celebrations – 36 hrs non-stop- is maintained without any loss of energy.

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The Pooram is almost an 8 hour music festival with various instruments, such as the Chenda, Thimila, Edakka, Kombu, Elathalam, Sanghu, Kurumukuzhal being used. Every event at the festival is accompanied by music played by local maestros. Every event is presided by the elephants of the two major temples carrying golden plaques depicting the Gods of the respective temples. For most of the events these elephants are flanked by as many as 14 other elephants. Each one of the elephants has an umbrella, fans made out of peacock feathers and a bunch of yak tail which are held by people seated on the elephant. These are swayed rhythmically to the music played around the procession of elephants. The Thrissur Pooram is a must on a visit to India.

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Day 1 (May 7, 2014)ArrivalArrival at Kochi International Airport, drive to Trissur. Check-in at the hotel. Evening visit chavakkad beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 (May 8, 2014)

GuruvayoorMorning after breakfast drive to .Gurvayoor the one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna Temple (non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple), considered the Dwaraka of the South. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief, the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Gods and Vayu, God of the winds .Guruvyoor Elephant Camp is one of its kinds in the world and is considered to be one of the largest elephant sanctuaries housing around 60 elephants. The fascinating feature is that all the elephants are offerings that are made by the devotees, at the temple. Guruvayoor is an integral part of Kerala tourism packages.

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The camp also acts as a training school for the elephants. Most of the elephants are trained to participate in major processions and daily temple rituals. After sightseeing drive back to Trissur, later visit the Pooram chamayam is a sort of dress display conducted on the previous day of the festival at venues close to the Vadakkumnathan temple in the heart of Thrissur town. Evening drive back to hotel .Overnight at the hotel. Here you can witness reponsible tourism in action.

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Day 3 (May 9, 2014)PooramDay at leisure by noon watch the mega festival Thrissur Pooram. The main attractions are

Elanjithara MelamThe Elanjithara Melam was starts about 2:00 PM. This is a musical display by some of the most experienced musicians of Thrissur and the neighboring cities. The entire display is divided into 3 kalams (steps), based on the speed. As goes unsaid, the 3rd being the fastest is the most explosive in nature. This is an immersive experience and a welcome addition to all Kerala Tourism Packages.

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KudamattomThis is a competition between the two temples. There are about 15 elephants from each temple that face each other at the Vadakumnathan Temple Grounds and they change the umbrellas that are mounted on the elephants. The umbrellas are all made out of silk and are beautifully decorated. There were over 40 umbrellas that will be mounted on the elephants, one after the other. This is the main event of the Thrissur Pooram. Some of the umbrellas are very unique and colourful. Many had intricate designs on them which made them look very beautiful.

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Vedikattu (Fire Works)The Vedikattu is at 3:00 AM and is literally explosive. The fireworks are amazing and the colours that filled the sky were beautiful and bring about the right combination of colors. All South India Tours that coincide with the temple festival integrate this in the itinerary.

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Day 4 (May 10, 2014)Transfer to KochiBy noon check-out from the hotel drive to Cochin .Check-in at the hotel .Evening watch Kathakali show .Overnight at the hotel.

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Day 5 (May 11, 2014)Kochi sightseeing After breakfast drive to Fort Kochi .The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British. The result of these cultural interfaces are seen in the remains of the Indo-European architecture here .Local sightseeing of Kochi. Places of interest: Chinese fishing nets, St Francise Church, Dutch palace(closed on Fridays),Jewish Synagogue(closed on Fridays and Saturdays) and you can also stroll through the fragrance streets of the spicemarket.Overnight at Kochi. This is bound to be the highlight in your india tour.

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Day 6 (May 12, 2014)Alleppey Houseboat After breakfast drive to Alleppey .Guests can check- in house boat from the resort at 12:00 hrs from Alleppey they will welcome you and start cruise after a short introduction, relax and enjoy the canals and rivers and backwater. The boat will anchor at 6:00 PM as per the laws of the Government of Kerala. Evening enjoy your dinner and leave all worlds behind you and have a good sleep in your floating paradise. Responsible tourism on the South India tour circuit can be found here. This is the high point of all Kerala Backwater Tours.

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Day 7 (May 13, 2014)Departure After Breakfast check out at 9.00 AM at Alleppey end of services in houseboat and leave houseboat with an ever-lasting beautiful memory. Drive to Kochi if time permits shopping at Kochi. Drop at Kochi International Airport for your onward journey. Your Kerala Holiday and Tours will be etched deep in your memory. Guraunteed!

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Package Cost Per person (Min 2 pax travelling together) Rs.29000/- USD 530EURO 390

DestinationTrissur Kochi Alleppey

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HotelJoys Palace Abad Attrium House Boat

Room CategoryExecutive Superior One bed room A/C

HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES

Accommodation in above mentioned hotels on twin sharing basis with breakfast

Kathakali tickets at Kochi

Accommodation in A/C houseboat with all meals i.e. Breakfast ,Lunch and Dinner (A/C will function from 9PM to 6AM)

Transfers and sightseeing tours by A/C Toyota Innova

Driver's night allowance, Fuel charges, Parking charges, Permit charges and Toll etc.

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HOLIDAY PRICE EXCLUDES

Items of personal nature like telephone calls, laundry charges, tips etc.

Tickets to monuments and sightseeing places.

Guides.

Anything that comes as unexpected and not mentioned in the Holiday price includes.

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Sherlys Tours and Travels20/191,Kochupally road

Thoppumpady ,Kochi-682005

Kerala,India

Tel: +91 484 3229151

Mob:+91 9447956758 Fax: 04842235541

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