Lionel Messi –Â On Sunday, Kerala’s historic Thrissur Pooram was conducted in full splendor at the legendary Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kochi, with a parade of ornately caparisoned elephants and a high-octane traditional percussion performance that thrilled a sea of spectators.
The famous Pooram, held in the expansive Thekkinkadu Maidan, was watched by thousands of people of all religions and ages who flocked to witness the yearly show, which is widely regarded as the mother of all temple festivals in the southern state.
Thirty caparisoned elephants–15 each from the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady temples-stood face to face, following to centuries-old norms and traditions.
Lionel Messi in India
During the famed ‘Kudamattam,’ which began shortly after six o’clock in the evening, the Thiruvambady side stole the show with a display of an impressive illuminated cutout of Argentina football legend Lionel Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy.
The display of ‘nettipattams’ (golden caparisons),’venchamaram’ (ornamental fan made of peacock feathers), and ‘muthukkuda’ (decorative umbrellas) atop the jumbos was a feast for the crowd, who were enthralled by the traditional music ensembles, ‘panchavadyam and pandimelam’, performed by an array of percussionists.
The two-century-old Thrissur Pooram was established in 1798 by a royal order issued by Raja Rama Varma, widely known as Shakthan Thampuran, a prominent monarch of the ancient princely state of Cochin.
The decree designated two local temples — Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady — as the primary sponsors of the competing celebrations.
Small poorams from nearby temples joined the festivities, which will conclude late Sunday night with the main poorams by the two Devaswoms.