Kerala is a state brimming with ancient traditions. Thrissur Pooram is known as being one of the heights of Kerala tradition. The spectacle is also known as “Poorangalude Pooram”, meaning the Festival of Festivals.
The festival unifies the temples around the Vadakkunnathan Temple and puts on a display of praise to Lord Shiva through traditions like Kudamattam, Ilanjithara Melam, and many more.
The festival is famous for its processions that consist of dozens of elephants and hundreds of devoted musicians.
Fun fact: This festival is most well-known for its innovative fireworks displays.
Raja Ram Varma was the Maharaja of Cochin in 1798. He was fondly known by his people as Shakthan Thampuran. That year, heavy rain delayed devotees from Thrissur on their journey to the Arattupuzha Pooram. When they arrived late, they were denied entry, so they approached Shakthan Thampuran to resolve this.
Shakthan Thampuran saw an opportunity to start a new tradition. He decided to unify the 10 temples around the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur in praise to Lord Vadakkunnathan (Lord Shiva) and invited the temples to bring forth deities in celebration of the festival. This festival would go on to become Thrissur Pooram.
Since its creation, Thrissur Pooram has been a mainstay in Kerala culture. Forming part of centuries of tradition, it is also a celebration of the legacy of the great Shakthan Thampuran.
Shakthan Thampuran divided the participating temples into two groups, known as the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu sides.
The festival officially begins with "Kodiyettam," or flag hoisting, seven days before Thrissur Pooram. This ceremony involves all the participating temples and includes a light fireworks show to mark the commencement of the festivities.
Four days after the flag hoisting, the first round of fireworks, known as "Sample Vedikettu," takes place. This one-hour show features innovative pyrotechnic displays by both the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu sides.
One of the highlights of Thrissur Pooram is the decoration of elephants with "Nettipattam" (golden caparisons), "Chamayam" (elephant accoutrements), and other ornate accessories. These decorations are hand-made every year by the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples.
The main Pooram events begin with the "Kanimangalam Sasthavu Ezhunnellippu" procession early in the morning, followed by processions from six other temples. A major event is the "Madathil Varavu" melam, which features over 200 artists playing traditional instruments such as the thimila, madhalam, trumpet, cymbal, and edakka.
Inside the Vadakkunnathan Temple, the "Ilanjithara Melam" starts at 2 PM, featuring a spectacular performance with drums, trumpets, pipes, and cymbals.
A key attraction of Thrissur Pooram is "Kudamattom," where the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu groups compete by exchanging colourful and intricately crafted umbrellas atop the elephants. This event is a visual spectacle and a crowd favourite.
The main fireworks display, known as "Vedikettu," takes place in the early morning of the seventh day. This grand pyrotechnic show is held in the heart of Thrissur city at Thekkinkadu Maidan and is renowned nationwide. Both Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu compete to present the most impressive fireworks, with winners being declared
the next day.
The festival concludes with the "Pakal Pooram" on the seventh day. The farewell ceremony, known as "Upacharam Cholli Piriyal," involves the idols from the Thiruvambady Sri Krishna Temple and Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple being taken back to their respective temples. The event ends with a final round of fireworks called "Pakal Vedikkettu."
The legends of the Vadakkunnathan Temple suggest it was founded by Parashurama. When Parashurama threw his axe to unveil the land that would become Kerala, he requested Lord Shiva to establish his presence in this new land.
A Shiva Linga was discovered by Parashurama beneath the grove of a banyan tree, and it would later become the centrepiece of the Vadakkunnathan temple. The area around the temple would later become present-day Thrissur.
The temple is the home of Lord Vadakkunnathan (Lord Shiva). During and after the rule of Shakthan Thampuran, the temple has been the site of countless Poorams. The temple is covered in mural paintings depicting scenes from the Mahabharatha and has been declared a national monument.
The Vadakkunnathan Temple is the hub of Thrissur Pooram, and it has been revered for centuries. MemoryTrain has preserved the timeless memory of Thrissur Pooram with a commemorative piece that depicts the iconic Temple Gate of Vadakkunnathan Temple.
Made from high-quality resin, The Temple Gate will serve as a fond reminder of the temple and the festivities of Thrissur Pooram. It is designed to be a conversation piece and can be a great starting point for reliving your memories about age-old traditions and amazing festivities.
We have another product in our MemoryTrain ,that beautifully captures the essence of nature, evoking the serene charm of our beloved Thrissur.
The vibrant village of Malarikkal is an enchanting sight to see. Around August and September, the fields of this quaint little hamlet in the vast district of Kottayam becomes a hub of buzzing tourist activity.
During the peak season, tourist spots in Kottayam are teeming with high levels of exciting tourist activity. The cultural heritage and sparkling landscapes of the bustling Kottayam district are the perfect backdrop for Malarikkal’s large and sprawling fields of mesmerising Water Lilies that attract the eyes of citizens around the world.
Picture the still, clear waters of Kerala’s Lake of Lilies flowing silently, stretching for kilometres. The soft silence is filled with gentle ripples as gorgeous, pink water lilies sprout in the water one by one. Soon, the surface of the Lake is covered with them, like a gently swaying canopy that lives harmoniously on the water’s surface.
As the first tourist footfalls reach the shores of Malarikkal, Kottayam, the Lake of Lilies welcomes them in full bloom. Ripples float across the surface of the still waters as enthusiastic tourists pick their blooming lilies to keep as a vibrant souvenir of the times they spent in Kottayam.
Malarikkal Village is located between Kottayam and Kumarakom. The village is located as a detour on the road that connects Kottayam and Kumarakom. Here is how you can reach it.
Step 1: Travel on the road from Kottayam to Kumarakom till you reach Illikal Junction
Step 2: Turn left at Illikal Junction onto Tiruvaruppu Road and continue till Kanjiram Kavala
Step 3: At Kanjiram Kavala, turn left onto Kanjiram Jetty Road and drive 2.7km till you reach your destination
Step 1: Travel on the road from Kumarakom to Kottayam till you reach Illikal Junction
Step 2: Turn right at Illikal Junction onto Tiruvaruppu Road and continue till Kanjiram Kavala
Step 3: At Kanjiram Kavala, turn left onto Kanjiram Jetty Road and drive 2.7km till you reach your destination
The best time to visit Malarikkal, Kottayam is between the months of August to October when the Lake of the Lilies is in full bloom. The most preferable time to visit Malarikkal is between 6:30 am and 9:30 am. Once time flows beyond 9:30 am, the petals of the flowers start to close and the magic fades away.
The surface of the Lake shimmers with sprinkles of sunlight at dawn. That is why sunrise is the perfect time to lay your eyes on the surface of the Lake when it's covered in glowing Lilies as far as the eye can see, it becomes one of the most attractive and breathtaking tourist spots in Kottayam.
The lake of lilies is not just a viewing spectacle. If you want to get a closer look at the serenity that washes over with the breeze, you can hop on a boat ride and head onto the water.
There will be plenty of boatmen with rowboats. The price of one “boat safari” is about Rs. 100 - 150. You can request them to take you on the lake to enjoy the calm stillness that floats atop the quiet lake—you can even ask them to pluck a lilly or two to take home as a souvenir.
The blooming lilies signify the end of the rainy season and usher in a new era of tranquil sunlight. The bustling tourists bring in a lot of income for the community of Malarikkal as they pass through the village, allowing families and businesses in the area to thrive and grow into a more prominent tourist spot in Kottayam.
The vibrant water lilies blooming in Kottayam help maintain the delicate ecosystem of Malarikkal. These lilies provide shade from pollution and are home to plenty of aquatic life in and around the Malarikkal area.
The surrounding community sees the blossoming of the water lilies as an auspicious sign of prosperity. The people of Malarikkal come together to nourish and care for the blooming lilies to ensure that their beautiful Lake is sprawling with vibrant, pink water lilies from end to end. The Lake of Lilies is a natural blessing that the natives consider a blessing to their lives and livelihoods.
MemoryTrain has always seen the Lake of Lilies as a hallmark of beauty and tranquillity. We have immortalised the Lake in resin to create a beautiful commemorative piece that can bring the serene beauty of Malarikkal, Kottayam, into your home.
The piece is intricate and tells the story of Malarikkal with silent artistry. The piece displays the edge of a boat silently wading through the Lake as lilies part as ripples form on the surface to allow the rowboat to pass through. This piece serves as a true homage to the purity and beauty of the hidden gem that is Malarikkal, Kottayam.
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During my 90s summer vacations, the little curious soul in me would always find herself perched on the edge of a car seat. Those rides felt like I was moving through continents, many cities, and more importantly homes. There was always an extensive lineup of relatives' visits, and the one thing that seemed amazingly unvarying was the essence of each home. Things were beautifully
selec
 ted, whether it was the china they served tea snacks on, the crochet work on the cushion covers, a personal hand-embroidered table cloth, or the way those family sepia toned photographs were hung on a wall.To me, every home had a woven story but there was always one piece that could unearth many more stories, perhaps what was once fashionable but certainly was always illuminated, the showpiece cabinet.
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Perhaps it’s another era, where being a memory keeper of souvenirs has a new sense of fashi
 on. There’s a different approach to our generation's way of storytelling, which also includes narrating it through spaces in a home. Now we collect memorabilia to give life to spaces and elicit emotions. Rather than just buying a piece to remember a place, you gravitate toward a moment or memory. Whether your souvenir is placed on a bookshelf, next to a postcard, or it’s on your kitchen cabinet to remind you of a restaurant you loved, or even placing it on a console table with an array of photo frames, the once upon-a time 'showpiece shelf’ is slowly tuning in with contemporary aesthetics. |
 Over time, I’ve been quite inspired to find creative ways to incorporate them into home decor. A few visits to vintage stores, curated exhibitions at museums, and also modern and fresh approaches in other people’s homes gave me some ideas on how to showcase souvenirs more narratively. |
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1. Conversation Starters
I’ve always felt a living room is a place where some of the greatest conversations unfurl and the coffee table is always welcome to showcase your curated items. From coffee table books that pique your interest, you could always place your curio on the table, paired with a few flowers and a scent reminiscent of your travels.
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2. Reinventing the Shelf
Rather than just, aligning your shelf with a lot of books,
bring in some of your travel interventions and highlight the nostalgic qualities. Stack up your books horizontally, place some curios on them, and frame some of your handwritten notes or even illustrations.
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3. Circulate the House
 Place the curios in your near and dear nooks of the house. Whether it’s your dressing table or your office table that would probably motivate you for your next vacation. Personal passions always shine through.
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4. Handling Clutter If you are a massive collector and worried about your home even exceeding the look of a museum. Why not invest in a chest or a stunning box to safeguard your troves? You gradually rotate with your items when you feel like giving a small makeover to your house? |
I’ve always felt that the magic of your house lies in the harmony between space and objects, for it always transports you to another world but still leaves you very grounded. I would love to know how you’ve incorporated the souvenirs at home. More than happy to read in, do let me know in the comments section below.
Maybe when we go back into our childhood we remember how the cricket stars were hailed as the demigods of sports. We were always told that if we had a glass of milk we would be able to be as strong as then. In the school bus we got competitive with those playing cards and sided bowlers with the most number of wickets. Could you remember the days, you would wait in line to get a miniature cricket bat with a printed autograph. But in time, the sport got bowled over. Not so suddenly, the fandom for cricket took a toss.
Now we see cut-outs of football stars towering over and roundabouts and highways. So many children geared in cleats and jerseys practicing football till the night comes to an end. It’s undeniable, there’s an impalpable love for football in the air. Kerala does have a history of winning a few national football championships, but it also takes this frenzy to an extra level. Different parts of Kerala had huge cut outs of Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, the Malappuram’s fan circle’s devotion is quite praiseworthy, even Messi had shared a video on facebook about the Malappuram fans.
The football fever is so infectious that homes have football graffiti work, barbershops have endless requests for footballers’ haircuts, and many side shops have a facade of hot-selling jersey shirts. During the football season, you would see the roads blanketed with enthusiastic fans cloaked in jerseys of sunshine yellow and the classic Argentinian stripes. Many restaurants and cafes crescendo with wild cheers as people gather to watch football games. As the game slowly cruises to becoming a part of lifestyle, the best part is seeing how the game is part of everyday life. Especially during the monsoon season, how kids get dirty in the mud tossing the ball and doing cartwheels of victory after successfully scoring a goal. Now’s that feeling of joy you can’t dribble with.
I tried to think about why football is such an emotional investment. Could it be that now the whole world has become close knit because of this game. I rather moved into another line of thought when I saw Pele’s obituary hoardings all set across the city, some months ago. It then struck me, everyone loves a heroic story. Many footballer’s excellence and perseverance reflect in their game. From the successful rise of Pele, to Ronaldo and Messi, they never started off their journey as demigods. As humane as we all are, they rose to the horizon beyond our fascination. The game is a mix of talent and team spirit that reaches out to everyone. With that they planted something in the many football fans out there, an insatiable power to dream.
A Kuttukaran Group Venture
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