Pariyanampetta Pooram

About Pariyanampetta Pooram

Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple is located at Kattukulam, Palakkad district, Kerala.Pariyanampetta Pooram Festival is the most strikingly colorful and popular festival of Kerala. The festival has got its name from the city of Pariyanampetta or Trichur where the festival takes place and the word ‘Pooram’, which literally means ‘a group or a meeting’. It is a belief among the people of Kerala that every year the gods and goddesses of the neighboring province meet each other for a day of celebration.Pooram, the concluding day of the festival, is marked by a ceremonial procession of 21 elephants. A seven-day annual festival is celebrated at the Pariyanampetta temple dedicated to Bhagavathy or the Goddess. The Pooram festival is marked by the traditional folk and classical musical performances like the Tholpavakoothu, Kalamezhuthupattu, Pootham, Thira, Karivela, Kaalavela, Kuthiravela, Kathakali, Chakyarkoothu.Sakthan Thampuran, the Raja of Kochi, introduced Pariyanampetta Pooram during his reign 1775- 1790 AD. According to Malayalam calendar, meeting of the Gods occurs in the month of spring, i.e., Malayalam Medam that occurs between April and May. The festival is being celebrated continuously for almost two centuries now. The festival begins at 6 in the morning, continues for nearly 36 hours and concludes at 12 noon the other day.

The Pooram concludes with brilliant display of the fireworks in the evening, which continues till late hours of the next morning. Some of the main Pooram celebrations are at Aratupuzha, Pariyanampetta, Uthralikavu, Cheeramkulangara, Pariyanampetta, Mannarkad, Perumanam, Aryankavu, Mangottu, Medamkulangara, Kodikal and Thirumandhamkunnu.These grandly caparisoned elephants are made to march through the streets while thousands of people gather to watch them and to seek blessings from them since the elephant is hailed as holy in Kerala.Also musical performances are performed before the deity to please him. The artists who get a chance to perform in a temple consider themselves very lucky and blessed to have recesived that rare honor.

Interesting things to do

Watch the 21 elephants in the ceremonial procession and fireworks in the evening.

Interesting things to Visit

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary:

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary Travel Sprawling over 285 sq.kms, this neighbouring sanctrary shelters the largest population of wild Gaur ( Bison) The Cannimare Teak Tree, said to be the largest in the Asian continent towers roughly 5kms away from Thunakadavu-the headquarters of Parambikulam.

Malampuzha:

Malampuzha has an aerial ropeway across the garden, a telescope tower, boating and fishing facilities, a swimming pool, fresh water aquarium and a snake park. Fantasy Park is a good spot for children. At Dhoni you can go on a 3-hour trek from the base of Dhoni Hills to the waterfall at the reserve forest area.

Jungles of Sahya Ranges:

These Sahya Ranges are famous for its evergreen forests.

Padagiri:

Nelliyampathy has the highest peak at Nellikotta which is also called Padagiri. The hills dipped in the pristine beauty of nature are sprinkled with picturesque tea, coffee, cardamom, vegetable and orange plantations. The hills of Nelliyampathy are a delight to adventure lovers and trekkers.

Seethakunda:

Seethakundu offers a fantastic view of the valley below-a wide angled panoramic picture of about one third of Palakkad, as beautiful as the green Valleys of Kodaikkanal.

Nemmara Vela:

This ancient festival that is much awaited by the people of Nemmara and Valanghi, the famous “Nemmara Vallanghi vela”, falls on the 20th day of “Meenam” in the Malayalam month (2nd or 3rd of April, every year).

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Karunya Nagar Police Station
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Tel:0422 2615701.

Thondamuthur Police Station
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Tel: 0422 2617258.

Police Station Vadavalli
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Tel:0422 2423100.

Police Station
Mannarkkad, Palakkad, Kerala
Tel: 0422 2498381.

Nearest Hospital:

Vikram Hospital And Ent Research Institute
Venkatasamy Rd, R.S. Puram,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Tel: 0422 2546387.

Mannarkad Homoeo Medical Centre
jj complex, old statebank building
t.s junction,, main road, mannarkkad
palakkad dt, mannarkkad
Kerala 678582
Tel: 09447630668.

Sree Abirami Hospital
Sundarapuram, 33
Madukkarai Road,Coimbatore
Tamil Nadu 641024
Tel: 0422 2672972.

Kogunad Hospitals (P) Ltd
Tatabad, 79, 11 Th St
Gandhi Puram, Coimbatore
Tamil nadu 641012
Tel: 0422 2494303.

Lakshmi Nursing Home
Kenathuparambu
Palakkad, Kerala.

Madhavi Amma Hospital
Sultanpet, Palakkad
Kerala.

Useful Links

http://sajainsphotography.blogspot.com/2009/03/pariyanampatta-pooram-kerala-india.html
http://unnikrishnanpunchapadam.blogspot.com/2008/07/pariyanampetta-pooram.html
http://keralanews-live.blogspot.com/2009/06/kerala-festival-calenders.html

Location info

• Address: Kattukulam, Palakkad district, Kerala, India

• District: Palakkad district.

• Nearest City: Coimbatore Madurai, Palakkad and Nelliyampathy.

• Best time to visit: February.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Best time to visit Pariyanampetta Pooram

Pariyanampetta Pooram takes place according to the Malayalam calendar. The best time to witness this festival is during its scheduled dates, which vary annually. Most Kerala festivals occur between November and May (the dry season). Check the official dates from Kerala Tourism before planning your visit.

How to reach Pariyanampetta Pooram

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 40 km). Nearest Railway Station: Thrissur Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

Timings & opening hours

Festival timings vary by event. Most temple festivals start in the morning with flag-hoisting ceremonies and continue through the evening with processions, cultural programs, and fireworks. Night processions typically start around 8:00 PM–9:00 PM and continue past midnight.

Entry fee & tickets

Most festival events are free to attend and watch. Processions and temple grounds can be accessed without charge. Special seating for fireworks viewing may cost INR 100–500. Some cultural performances during festivals may have ticketed entry.

Duration needed

Major festivals last 8–10 days. Visitors typically spend 2–3 hours per day watching key events. The main procession day requires 4–6 hours.

Safety tips

Very large crowds gather at Pariyanampetta Pooram — keep your belongings secure and watch for pickpockets. Arrive early for a good viewing position of processions. Follow the instructions of festival volunteers and police. Keep children close and establish a meeting point in case of separation. Carry water and stay hydrated. Avoid bringing large bags or valuables to crowded festival grounds.

Things to carry

Comfortable shoes for walking and standing (crowds can be very large, seating may not be available), drinking water in a reusable bottle, a hat or cap, sunscreen and umbrella for day events, a light snack, earplugs (processions can be very loud with drums and fireworks), a camera (zoom lens recommended for procession shots), a power bank, and a small bag that can be secured against pickpockets.

Nearby visiting places

Guruvayoor Temple, Athirappilly Waterfall, Vazhachal Waterfall, Punnathur Kotta, Kerala Kalamandalam, Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary, Vilangan Hills

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 40 km). Nearest Railway Station: Thrissur Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

History of Pariyanampetta Pooram

Pariyanampetta Pooram is one of Kerala’s vibrant festivals that showcase the state’s rich cultural and religious diversity. Kerala’s festivals are renowned for their spectacular processions featuring caparisoned elephants, traditional percussion ensembles (pancha vadyam), colourful umbrellas, and fireworks. Many festivals are temple-related and follow the Malayalam calendar, creating a year-round cycle of celebrations that are an integral part of Kerala’s cultural identity. The festival reflects the unique syncretic traditions of Kerala where communities of all faiths participate in each other’s celebrations.

Frequently asked questions

When does this festival take place? — Most Kerala festivals follow the Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham). Dates vary annually — check the Kerala Tourism website or local sources for exact dates for your travel period. Is the festival free to attend? — Yes, all processions and public events are free. Special seating areas for fireworks or cultural programmes may have ticketed entry. How crowded is it? — Very crowded during major festivals. Large events like Thrissur Pooram attract hundreds of thousands of people. Arrive early, keep belongings secure, and establish meeting points. What should I wear? — Comfortable clothing suitable for standing in crowds. Modest dress is appreciated. Wear comfortable shoes.

Quick facts

• Type: Destination
• State: Kerala
• Category: Fairs And Festivals