Aarattupuzha Pooram held with fervour

THRISSUR: Thousands witnessed the renowned conclave of Gods aka the ‘greatest Devamela in the world  as part of the Aarattupuzha Pooram held on Thursday morning.   It is believed that on this day hundred and one Gods and Goddesses of the neighbouring villages visit the deity of the Aarattupuzha  Temple. The festival is considered as the oldest and most extravagant of all the poorams celebrated in the state while considering the number of elephants participating in the pooram and the antiquity of the temple, which is believed to be 3,000-year-old.   Thousands of people gathered at Aarattupuzha right from the morning to witness the ezhunnellippu (procession) when the deity was brought to the venue of the pooram in a procession around 6 pm on Wednesday.  As many as 15 caparisoned elephants were featured in the ‘ezhunnelippu’ of the deity and percussion ensembles drummed up the excitement. A dazzling firework followed the ezhunnellippu. The ezhunnellippu of the Thottippal Bhagavathy and the Chathakkudam Sastha held at midnight. This was followed by the ezhunnellippu of Poonilarkkavu Bhagavathy, Kaduppassery Bhagavathy, Chalakudy Kattupisharikkal Bhagavathy, Edakkunni Bhagavathy, Anthicaud-Choorakkodu Bhagavathy and Nettissery Sastha.  Later, the Koottiezhunnelippu, the most colourful event of the pooram, began here after the deity, Triprayar Thevar, brought in a procession to Kaithavalappu.