Devotees celebrate ‘Pooram’ in Tripunithura

TRIPUNITHURA - Scores of devotees thronged Tripunithura town in Kerala to celebrate ‘Pooram’, a temple festival.

As part of the ‘Pooram’, elephants carry the idols of different temple deities in a procession, which culminates at the ancient Vadakkumnathan temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The procession will last for 10 days.

The festival witnessed 15 caparisoned elephants, bedecked in gold ornaments amid drumbeats in the temple premises.

“This is the most important festival conducted on a large scale. In this festival we give full importance to temple arts and Carnatic music,” said M. Jayan, the Sree Poornathrayesa temple president.

Tourists from abroad flocked in large numbers to enjoy the festival.

“It was great; it was amazing to see all those elephants, all the colours and the music. It’s like a big fair,” said Anna, a German tourist.

The eight-day festival began on December 3. By Juhan Samuel (ANI)