Thrissur Pooram 2026 is the grandest temple festival of Kerala and the largest gathering of caparisoned elephants in India, celebrated at the ancient Vadakkunnathan Shiva Temple on the Thekkinkadu Maidan in the heart of Thrissur city. Held on the Pooram nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Medam, the 2026 edition falls on Monday, April 27, 2026, with the main processions on Sunday, April 26 and the Vedikettu fireworks at 4:00 AM on April 27. The eight-day run-up begins with the Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) on Monday, April 20, 2026, and the festival brings ten Thrissur temples under two rival groups, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi, into a 36-hour celebration of elephants, percussion, parasols and fireworks that draws more than one million devotees and tourists from across the world.
Kerala’s temple culture is also deeply woven with brass. Caparisoned elephants wear golden nettipattam studded with brass and gold-plated discs, the sacred nilavilakku and decorative velichu thooku used in processions are made of polished brass, and home shrines keep brass idols of Shiva, Krishna, Ganapathi and Devi as part of the family’s Pooram preparations. For the complete brass puja range including Kerala-style lamps and elephant figurines, browse the brass idol catalog. For more South Indian festival themes, you can also read our festival blog.
Thrissur Pooram 2026 Date, Schedule and Muhurat
The 2026 Thrissur Pooram schedule, as published by the Thrissur Pooram Ekopana Samithy and the Kerala Tourism festival calendar, runs as follows:
- Kodiyettam (Flag Hoisting): Monday, April 20, 2026
- Sample Fireworks (Sample Vedikettu): Friday, April 24, 2026
- Opening of the Southern Gopuram: Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM
- Main Thrissur Pooram Day: Sunday, April 26, 2026
- Vedikettu (Main Fireworks): Monday, April 27, 2026 at 4:00 AM
- Farewell (Elivalam): Monday, April 27, 2026
The Pooram nakshatra for 2026 begins at 08:27 PM on April 26 and ends at 09:18 PM on April 27, which confirms the main processions on April 26 and the early-morning firework finale on April 27. The Thekkinkadu Maidan in front of the Vadakkunnathan Temple is the central venue for the Kudamattam ceremony and the Ilanjithara Melam, while the Swaraj Round serves as the second processional ground for the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi deities. Travellers searching for the exact “Thrissur Pooram 2026 date” and “Thrissur Pooram schedule” should plan their trip across the April 25-27 weekend for the most complete experience.
Caparisoned Elephants and the Famous Kudamattam Ceremony
The crown jewel of Thrissur Pooram is the parade of caparisoned elephants (gaja pooram) and the Kudamattam umbrella-exchange ritual. Fifteen elephants from the Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple and fifteen from the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple stand in two opposing rows on the Thekkinkadu Maidan. Each elephant is adorned with a golden nettipattam (forehead ornament) studded with brass and gold discs, a bell-heavy neck chain, a colourful ceremonial cloth, and a pair of raised parasols (muthukuda).
How the Kudamattam Unfolds
During the Kudamattam, the parasol bearers (madathil pani) seated atop each elephant rapidly exchange ornate silk umbrellas in synchronised patterns. The umbrellas change colour and design more than sixty times, and the entire fifteen-minute sequence is accompanied by the sound of the chenda melam, ilathalam and kombu. The crowd fills the maidan shoulder to shoulder, photographers line the perimeter, and the two sides compete gently to display the most beautiful parasols. The Kudamattam umbrella exchange is now a globally recognised ritual and a top search query around the festival window.
Ilanjithara Melam: The Heartbeat of Thrissur Pooram
No Thrissur Pooram experience is complete without the Ilanjithara Melam, a percussion concert performed by around 250 artistes seated around a banyan tree (ilanji) on the Thekkinkadu Maidan. The ensemble includes chenda, kurumkuzhal, kombu, elathalam and edakka, and is led by the pramani thimila artiste. The Ilanjithara Melam is widely accepted as the most challenging percussion performance in Kerala temple festivals, and its rhythm has been studied by musicologists across India.
The Madathil Varavu (ceremonial arrival) of the deities is also part of the Thrissur Pooram schedule. Thiruvambadi Bhagavathy first completes pooja at Brahmaswam Madom, then proceeds to the maidan for the panchavadyam. The deities of Kanimangalam Sastha, Karamukku Bhagavathy, Chembukkavu Bhagavathy, Panamukkumpally Sastha, Laloor Bhagavathy, Choorakkottukavu Bhagavathy, Ayyanthole Karthyayani and Naithalakkavu Bhagavathy also bow to Vadakkunnathan in sequence. The full pooram spans more than 30 hours, with continuous chenda melam from dawn of the main day to the early hours of the following morning.
Vedikettu Fireworks, the Thrissur Pooram Exhibition and Travel Tips
The grand finale of Thrissur Pooram is the Vedikettu fireworks display, traditionally held at 4:00 AM on the day after the main Pooram. The two rival groups present their competing firework sequences, which are launched from specially constructed pandals near the Swaraj Round. A scaled-down Sample Vedikettu is also held two to three days before the main event, allowing the technical crews to test their displays. For 2026, organisers have announced tighter crowd-control measures, lane discipline and revised timings in the wake of the 2025 incident, and visitors are advised to arrive at the Thekkinkadu Maidan by 4:00 AM on April 27 with water and ID proof.
The Thrissur Pooram Exhibition, which runs for 40-50 days starting from the Kodiyettam, is a great place to buy brass urulis, traditional nilavilakku, brass elephant figures and handicrafts from across Kerala. The nearest railway station is Thrissur, and Cochin International Airport is about 50 km away. KSRTC and private buses run from Kochi, Coimbatore and Palakkad, and most hotels in the city are booked out two to three months in advance during the Pooram window.
Brass Idols, Elephant Figurines and Deshna Wholesale for Pooram Souvenirs
For Kerala devotees, festival shopping is never complete without a brass piece. Deshna Wholesale from Khatauli, Uttar Pradesh, supplies hand-cast brass idols of Lord Shiva in the Vadakkunnathan style, brass Ganapathi, brass Krishna, brass Lakshmi and detailed brass caparisoned elephant figurines (gaja) that match the size and finish of temple decor. Their range of brass deepam, nilavilakku, brass kalash and brass pooja thali is widely used in Kerala home shrines for the Vishu, Onam and Pooram seasons. Browse the latest brass idol catalog for wholesale pricing on bulk temple orders, or contact the team directly for custom festival hampers and dealership enquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Thrissur Pooram 2026?
A: Thrissur Pooram 2026 falls on Monday, April 27, 2026, with the main processions on Sunday, April 26 and the Vedikettu fireworks at 4:00 AM on April 27. The Kodiyettam flag hoisting is on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Q: Where is Thrissur Pooram celebrated?
A: Thrissur Pooram is celebrated at the Vadakkunnathan Temple on the Thekkinkadu Maidan in the centre of Thrissur city, Kerala. The Swaraj Round is used as a secondary processional ground for the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi deity processions.
Q: How many elephants participate in Thrissur Pooram?
A: Thirty caparisoned elephants participate in the Kudamattam ceremony, with fifteen from the Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple and fifteen from the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, supported by another twenty-plus elephants from the eight other participating temples.
Q: What is the Kudamattam ritual in Thrissur Pooram?
A: Kudamattam is the ceremonial exchange of decorated silk umbrellas between parasol bearers seated atop the caparisoned elephants. The two temple groups face off and rotate through colourful parasols, accompanied by the chenda melam and ilathalam.
Q: Can I buy brass idols related to Thrissur Pooram online?
A: Yes. Wholesale buyers and devotees can buy brass caparisoned elephant figurines, brass nilavilakku, brass deepam and brass Shiva-Ganapathi idols from Deshna Wholesale. View the catalog or contact via WhatsApp for bulk rates.
Conclusion: Thrissur Pooram 2026 is a 36-hour journey through Kerala’s temple heritage, percussion art and elephant culture, with the Kudamattam, Ilanjithara Melam and Vedikettu fireworks remaining unforgettable for first-time visitors and seasoned devotees alike. Plan your trip for the April 25-27 weekend, book accommodation early, and include the 40-day Thrissur Pooram Exhibition in your itinerary for a full cultural immersion.
For bulk brass idols, festival lamps and elephant decor, browse the Deshna Wholesale catalog or reach the team on WhatsApp +91 93586 85800 for wholesale enquiries across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and the Gulf diaspora.