http://www.sherlystours.com/thrissur-pooram-2014/ Announcing our THRISSUR POORAM package. Come immerse yourself in the rhythmic beat of a 100 drums, spectacular fireworks till dawn and colorful elephants in caparisoned pageantry. Starting May 7th - May 30th . Don’t miss it for the world.

1. Thrissur Pooram
Thrissur Pooram is called 'the pooram of all poorams' (festival). UNESCO adjudged Thrissur Pooram
as “the most spectacular festival event on the planet . It is the biggest of all poorams held in
Kerala state. The Thrissur pooram, is celebrated every year in the month of Medam (mid-April to
mid-may) as per the malayalam calendar. This year Pooram will be expected to celebrate on 9th
of May,2014 and is a must-do in every South India Tour Package.
While India is considered to be between 5000 to 10000 years old, and many rituals, customs
and festivals date back centuries, the Thrissur pooram is only about 200 or more years old. It
was orchestrated by the then ruler of Cochin, Sakthan Thampuran or Raja Rama Varma, in 1798.
Sakthan Thampuran, so known for his firm and decisive administration, decided to break
tradition and create a venue for the temples belonging to his region to celebrate their pooram
festival
The entire Pooram features about 96 elephants and is a sort of a friendly competition between
two temples - The Thiruvambady Bhagavathi and Paramekkavu Bhagavathi with the Sree
Vadakumnathan Temple playing a role almost equivalent to a mediator. Most India tour operators
include this festival in their itinerary if the dates are convenient.

2. The processions and rituals of each of these deities follow a very strict itinerary, scheduled in
such a way that the tempo of the Pooram celebrations – 36 hrs non-stop- is maintained without
any loss of energy.
The Pooram is almost an 8 hour music festival with various instruments, such as the Chenda,
Thimila, Edakka, Kombu, Elathalam, Sanghu, Kurumukuzhal being used. Every event at the
festival is accompanied by music played by local maestros. Every event is presided by the
elephants of the two major temples carrying golden plaques depicting the Gods of the
respective temples. For most of the events these elephants are flanked by as many as 14 other
elephants. Each one of the elephants has an umbrella, fans made out of peacock feathers and a
bunch of yak tail which are held by people seated on the elephant. These are swayed
rhythmically to the music played around the procession of elephants. The Thrissur Pooram is a
must on a visit to India.
Day 1 (May 7, 2014)
Arrival
Arrival at Kochi International Airport, drive to Trissur. Check-in at the hotel. Evening visit
chavakkad beach. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 (May 8, 2014)
Guruvayoor
Morning after breakfast drive to .Gurvayoor the one of
the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala.
Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna Temple (non-Hindus
are not allowed inside the temple), considered the
Dwaraka of the South. This historic temple is shrouded in
mystery. According to belief, the temple is the creation of
Guru, the preceptor of the Gods and Vayu, God of the
winds .Guruvyoor Elephant Camp is one of its kinds in the
world and is considered to be one of the largest elephant sanctuaries housing around 60
elephants. The fascinating feature is that all the elephants are offerings that are made by the
devotees, at the temple. Guruvayoor is an integral part of Kerala tourism packages.
The camp also acts as a training school for the elephants. Most of the elephants are trained to
participate in major processions and daily temple rituals. After sightseeing drive back to Trissur,
later visit the Pooram chamayam is a sort of dress display conducted on the previous day of the

3. festival at venues close to the Vadakkumnathan temple in
the heart of Thrissur town. Evening drive back to hotel
.Overnight at the hotel. Here you can witness reponsible
tourism in action.
Day 3 (May 9, 2014)
Pooram
Day at leisure by noon watch the mega festival Thrissur Pooram. The main attractions are
Elanjithara Melam
The Elanjithara Melam was starts about 2:00 PM. This is a
musical display by some of the most experienced musicians
of Thrissur and the neighboring cities. The entire display is
divided into 3 kalams (steps), based on the speed. As goes
unsaid, the 3rd being the fastest is the most explosive in
nature. This is an immersive experience and a welcome
addition to all Kerala Tourism Packages.
Kudamattom
This is a competition between the two temples. There are
about 15 elephants from each temple that face each other at
the Vadakumnathan Temple Grounds and they change the
umbrellas that are mounted on the elephants. The umbrellas
are all made out of silk and are beautifully decorated. There
were over 40 umbrellas that will be mounted on the
elephants, one after the other. This is the main event of the
Thrissur Pooram. Some of the umbrellas are very unique and colourful. Many had intricate
designs on them which made them look very beautiful
Vedikattu (Fire Works)

4. The Vedikattu is at 3:00 AM and is literally explosive. The fireworks are amazing and the colours
that filled the sky were beautiful and bring about the right combination of colors. All South India
Tours that coincide with the temple festival integrate this in the itinerary.
Day 4 (May 10, 2014)
Transfer to Kochi
By noon check-out from the hotel drive to Cochin .Check-in at
the hotel .Evening watch Kathakali show .Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 5 (May 11, 2014)
Kochi sightseeing
After breakfast drive to Fort Kochi .The town was shaped by
the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British. The result of
these cultural interfaces are seen in the remains of the IndoEuropean architecture here .Local sightseeing of Kochi. Places
of interest: Chinese fishing nets, St Francise Church, Dutch
palace(closed on Fridays),Jewish Synagogue(closed on Fridays
and Saturdays) and you can also stroll through the fragrance streets of the
spicemarket.Overnight at Kochi. This is bound to be the highlight in your india tour.
Day 6 (May 12, 2014)

5. Alleppey Houseboat
After breakfast drive to Alleppey .Guests can check- in house
boat from the resort at 12:00 hrs from Alleppey they will
welcome you and start cruise after a short introduction, relax
and enjoy the canals and rivers and backwater. The boat will
anchor at 6:00 PM as per the laws of the Government of
Kerala. Evening enjoy your dinner and leave all worlds
behind you and have a good sleep in your floating paradise.
Responsible tourism on the South India tour circuit can be found here. This is the high point of
all Kerala Backwater Tours.
Day 7 (May 13, 2014)
Departure
After Breakfast check out at 9.00 AM at Alleppey end of services in houseboat and leave
houseboat with an ever-lasting beautiful memory. Drive to Kochi if time permits shopping at
Kochi. Drop at Kochi International Airport for your onward journey. Your Kerala Holiday and
Tours will be etched deep in your memory. Guraunteed!
Package Cost
Per person (Min 2 pax
travelling together)
Rs.29000/USD 530
EURO 390
Destination
Hotel
Room Category
Trissur
Joys Palace
Executive
Kochi
Abad Attrium
Superior
Alleppey
House Boat
One bed room A/C

6. HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES
 Accommodation in above mentioned hotels on twin sharing basis with breakfast
 Kathakali tickets at Kochi
 Accommodation in A/C houseboat with all meals i.e. Breakfast ,Lunch and Dinner (A/C
will function from 9PM to 6AM)
 Transfers and sightseeing tours by A/C Toyota Innova
 Driver's night allowance, Fuel charges, Parking charges, Permit charges and Toll etc.
HOLIDAY PRICE EXCLUDES
 Items of personal nature like telephone calls, laundry charges, tips etc.
 Tickets to monuments and sightseeing places.
 Guides.
 Anything that comes as unexpected and not mentioned in the Holiday price includes.
Sherlys Tours and Travels
20/191,Kochupally road
Thoppumpady ,Kochi-682005
Kerala,India
Tel: +91 484 3229151
Mob:+91 9447956758
Fax: 04842235541
http://www.sherlystours.com/