Most Famous Pooram Festivals of Kerala - Kerala's most famous pooram

Thrissur Pooram  

Kerala's most famous and celebrated pooram takes place at Vadakkumnathan temple in Thrissur round during the Malayalam month of Medam. This grand festival has around 60 elephants and a percussion ensemble with about 240 artistes. One of highlight of Thrissur pooram is kudamattom competition, which involves the rhythmic changing of row of decorative umbrellas.

Thrissur pooram 

 Most Famous Pooram Festivals of Kerala

Peruvanam Pooram (March or early April) 

This festival (nearly 1,500 years old) takes place at the ancient Peruvanam temple, in Cherpu in Thrissur district. There's a spectacular procession with elephants, and a four hour traditional Kerala percussion ensemble followed by fireworks.

Peruvanam Pooram

 Most Famous Pooram Festivals of Kerala

Arattupuzha Pooram (March or early April) 

A festival not far from Thrissur, which has around 50 elephants in attendance. This pooram, held at Arattupuzha temple, is possibly the state's oldest temple festival and it's also extremely grand.

Arattupuzha Pooram

 Most Famous Pooram Festivals of Kerala

Parippally Gajamela (March) 

This important elephant festival is held at Kodimoottil Bhagavathy temple at Parippally, in Kerala's Kollam district, and features about 50 caparisoned pachyderms. There are also cultural programs.

Parippally Gajamela

 Most Famous Pooram Festivals of Kerala

Chinakkathoor Pooram (March) 

A rural temple festival at Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy temple in Palappuram, in Palakkad district. It has 33 elephants, traditional percussion, processions of bull and horse effigies, and shadow puppetry.

Pariyanampetta Pooram (February) 

The seven-day festival at Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple in Kattukulam, in Palakkad district, is known for its Kalamezhuthu Pattu ritual. Images of the goddesses are drawn on the ground with natural colored powder, and are accompanied by devotional singing. Many traditional art forms are also on display, and there's an impressive procession (with elephants) on the last day.

Uthralikkavu Pooram (February) 

One of the popular pooram in Kerala ,eight-day festival at rather isolated Rudhira Mahakali Kavu temple, in Thrissur district's Vadakkancherry, is dedicated to Goddess Kali and has a picturesque setting bordered by paddy fields. There are day and night elephant processions, and traditional musical ensembles. Three villages compete for the grandest displays.