Chinakkathoor Pooram, Palakkad Temple Festival

Chinakkathoor Pooram: Palappuram, Palakkad Temple Festival

4to40.com February 23, 2024 Indian Festivals 1,785 Views

Chinakkathoor Pooram is an elephant pageant which is held annually at the sacred Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple, at Palappuram in Palakkad district in north Kerala. A huge procession of 33 festooned tuskers is the highlight of the festival. The festival is celebrated in Kumbham month of Malayalam calendar.

Chinakkathoor Pooram: Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple, Palappuram

Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple hosts one of the most unique and colorful poorams (temple festivals) in Kerala. Situated in Palappuram near Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad district, this festival draws in people in large numbers annually. It is celebrated on Makam asterism in the Malayalam month of Kumbham. One is treated to some of the best folk art performances that Kerala has. Majestic elephants marching through the streets are among the best sights seen during this pooram. The accompanying panchavadyam and pandimelam (traditional orchestra) add to the grand spectacle. Pulikali performances are also seen along with the constant beat of drums reverberating through the air. People of all religions and castes come together to celebrate this great occasion every single year.

Locality performs traditional art forms like Vellattu, Theyyam, Poothanum thirayum, Kaalavela, Kuthiravela, Aandi Vedan, Karivela on the Panchavadyam or the temple orchestra. The popular ritualistic show puppetry, Tholppavakkoothu, is performed at the temple premises every evening. This show continues for 17 days before conclusion of the festival i.e. pooram. Sixteen decorated models of the kuthira (horse) and eight kaala (bull) are brought ceremoniously to the temple by devotees in a grand procession.

Holiday is declared by the District Collector in all government offices and educational institutions of Ottapalam municipality and the Lakkidi-Perur grama panchayat.

How To Reach Palappuram, Palakkad District:

By Rail

Nearest railway station is Ottapalam which is about 5 km from the shrine. It is one of the major railway stations between Palakkad and Shoranur in the Konkan route and Wadakkanchery in the Kanyakumari / Alappuzha route.

By Bus

Public as well as private buses running on Palakkad-Shoranur (Kulappully) State Highway passes through Ottapalam.

By Air

Nearest airport is Coimbatore in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu which is about 85 km from shrine.

Calicut International Airport, Karipur, Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, and Coimbatore Domestic Airport are the other nearest airports.

Time To Celebrate ‘Chinakkathoor Pooram’:

In Kerala, festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and the local traditions and customs.

Disclaimer: Chinakkathoor Pooram

In Kerala, festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and the local traditions and customs. We have calculated the festival dates based on these. But there can be changes in the dates according the customs and rituals associated with each place of worship. As such, these should be considered only as approximate dates and have to be confirmed with the local authorities.