Vadakkumnathan temple’s “Thekke Gopura Nada” starts today, a Thrissur Pooram extravaganza

With thousands of festival goers chanting loudly, Neythalakakvu Bhagavathy atop tusker Ernakulam Sivakumar opened the Thekke Gopura Nada of Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple on Thursday, ending the lengthy wait of devotees in the cultural capital.

The 36-hour Thrissur Pooram ceremonies started with the inauguration of the Thekke Gopura Nada. In the next several hours, around a hundred elephants will participate in parades as part of the pooram’s many rites.

Early on Thursday morning, Neythalakkavu Bhagavathy, atop Cochin Devaswom Board’s tusker Ernakulam Sivakumar set off toward Thekkinkad Maidan accompanied by locals and festival committee members. Prior to the opening of the Thekke Gopura Nada, there existed a panchari melam.

Only on the occasion of Pooram is the famous Thekke Gopura Nada of the Sree Vadakkumnathan temple available to worshipers twice a year. Even though the south gate is opened for Karthika pooja as well, devotees are not permitted to enter through it since it often shuts shortly after the tantric rites.

Concurrently, the elephants scheduled to march at Cherupooram underwent fitness tests, along with other customs. Together with forest and police authorities, two teams of veterinary specialists looked over the health and background of the elephants that would be displayed on Friday.

Although the devaswom officials and elephant owners were very dissatisfied with the circulars issued by the forest department, the fitness inspections went well because the stakeholders worked with the government authorities to resolve a number of concerns. During the celebrations, devaswoms have meticulously planned to protect elephants from the intense sun.

The Kanimangalam Sastha procession, which starts at approximately six in the morning on Friday, marks the commencement of the pooram. in 7.30 am, it will arrive in Thekkinkad Maidan. Since it is thought that Kanimangalam Sastha should not be impacted by the sun, rain, or snow, the celebrations start with the deity’s procession. Everybody is excited to see the moments, including festival goer Krishnakumar.

During the Ghataka pooram in the morning, celebrity tusker Thechikottukavu Ramachandran will carry the idol of Neythalakkavu Bhagavathy.

During the morning Ghataka Pooram, Thechikottukavu Ramachandran will bring the idol of Neythalakkavu Bhagavathy.

The Kanimangalam Sastha procession, which starts at six in the morning, marks the commencement of Pooram.