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Uthralikavu Pooram is the main festival celebrated in Sree Ruthira Mahakalikavu Temple in Wadakanchery, Thrissur District. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali.The pooram is held during the month of February. The procession of the caparisoned elephants, during the day and night, accompanied by the resounding Panchavadyam and the Pandimelam is awe-inspiring. There are colorful events along with rituals and folk art performances in the evenings. The glow of the traditional temple lamps provides an eye-catching view. The festivities end with the spectacular all-night pooram pageant on the last day, the highlight of the festival. Sree Ruthira Mahakaalikavu Temple is dedicated to goddess Kali. The annual festival here is the most famous event in the region and is called the Uthralikavu Pooram. The eightday celebration is highlighted by elephant processions by day and night. The concluding day of the festival is celebrated as Pooram day, when twentyone elephants in traditional caparisons line up in the maidan (grounds) with mahouts sitting atop them holding colourful parasols and swaying white tufts and peacock feather fans. Traditional musical ensembles like Panchavadyam, Pandimelam etc. add rhythm to this enchanting spectacle. The allnight Pooram is conducted in the glow of the traditional temple torches called Theevatti , which heightens its ethereal aura. The cultural fare during the festival includes temple and folk art performances. Uthralikavu Pooram is famous for is its unique Fireworks, Panchavadyam and pageantry of Elephants, apart from many other events of attraction.The Nadapura Panchavadyan at Wadakanchery Siva temple is considered to be second best panchavadyan events among kerala festivals; the first being the famous Madathil varavu of Trichur pooram. Similarly, the fireworks at Uthralikavu Pooram is very much popular for its uniqueness. People from far off places come exclusively to enjoy it. The pooram Ezhunallippu to Uthralikkavu from Lord Siva temple Wadakanchery has a historical background too. In earlier days theMaharaja of Kochi used to attend the festival along with the Ezhunallipu of Wadakanchery desam. During that two armed policemen used to escort the elephant carrying the Kolam of Devi. Though the dynasty of Maharajas ended half a centaury back, the tradition of armed policemen following the Ezhunallippu still continues. Pooram may appear to an onlooker as a seasonal festival , a day of joy and merry making. But for a Wadakancherian it is a day of great meaning and purpose, a day of importance and significance, and a day of great many things for which he has been anxiously looking forward. In fact he feels on top of the world and his earthly Wadakanchery excels paradise if there is one. The temple of Kali sitting under a Poovam tree is situated among paddy fields on the Thrissur - Shornur highway 2 kms. away from Wadakanchery town, becomes the focal point of attraction. The three desams surrounding the temple, viz. Wadakanchery, Enkakad and Kumaranellur participate in the pooram in competitive spirit and try to excel each other in the number of Elephants, in panchavadhyam and chendamelam, in putting up huge arches and gopurams specially for the festival, in the fireworks etc. |
Location info: |
Address:Sree Ruthira Mahakaalikavu (Uthralikavu) Temple, Parithipra, 2 km from Vadakancherry, Thrissur district, North Kerala. |
District: Thrissur District |
Nearest City: Wadakanchery |
Best time to visit: February/March |
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Interesting things to Visit: |
Vadakkumnathan Temple Art Museum The Church of Our Lady of Dolors Peechi Dam The Archeological & Art Museum at Thrissur Thrissur Zoo Punnathur Kotta The Shakthan Thampuran Palace Anakkayam Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam) Kerala Sahitya Academy Guruvayur (Pilgrim Centre) Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Vilangan Kunnu Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls |
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Police Station: Viyyoor Police Station Ayyanthole Police Station Peramangalam Police Station Anthikkad Police Station wadakanchery police station Police Station Police station Police Station Puvathur Police Station Police Station |
Nearest Hospital: Modern Hospital Kodungallur Nilayoram Resorts & Ayurvedic Centre Sree Chithra Ayur Home Danya Hospitals Nairs Hospital Samaritan Hospital Electronics Diagnostics Specialist Hospital Janatha Hospital Ranjini Eye Hospital |
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