KUDAMATTAM, the Divine Darbar, the most colourful attraction of Thrissur Pooram was full of suspense this year. Both the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi sides showcased a wonderful collection of parasols at Swaraj Round on Tuesday evening. The show began with normal parasols. Both the sides were in tough competition.
Thiruvambadi Bhagavathy and Paramekkavu Bhagavathy stood face to face on Thekkinkadu Maidan in the silent presence of Sree Vadakkumnathan.
Kudamattam was between 5.30pm and 7.15pm following Elanjitharamelam.
After the Elanjitharamelam inside Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple, both the Bhagavathys performed the famous Thekkottirakkam. The elephants which carried the thidambu of both the Bhagavathys along with the other elephants came out for the Kudamattam through Thekka Gopuranada of the temple, which is known as Thekkottirakkam. Paramekkavu Sree Padmanabhan appeared at the Thekke Gopuranada followed by the other 14 elephants to start the royal darbar. They rounded the statue of Sakthan Thampuran in front of the corporation office and stood facing north side. Then the 15 elephants of Thiruvambadi Temple appeared on the Thekkinkadu Maidan coming through the Thekke Nada. Thiruvambadi Siva Sundar carried the idol of the Bhagavathy.
The well decorated 30 elephants were all set for the Kudamattam with the alluring melam. The show began with normal silk umbrellas in various colours and designs.
Balloon parasols were the first suspense broke by Paramekkavu side. As a reply to it, Thiruvambadi raised a special cloth parasol, which didn't have the shape of real parasols.
Kalpathi Radham model parasols, parasols in the shape of peacock and Lord Siva and Parvathy and parasols in three to four steps came from the secret gallery of Paramekkavu side. As a sweet reply, Thiruvambadi showcased the parasols in the shape of Lord Krishna, Narasimha Avatharam and Lord Ganesha.
But the stars of the day were LED parasols. Both the sides demonstrated parasols studded with small LED bulbs. All the lights on the spot were turned off when Paramekkavu side raised the first LED parasol in the shape of Lord Ayyappa. It created Swaraj Round a beautiful space reminding starry sky as the lights of the parasols and camera flash lights were only seen. The Thiruvambadi did the same with their LED parasol. The show continued with few more LED parasols.
As per the ritual, the people on the elephants waved the white clothes with them declaring the end of the Kudamattam.
The temples had prepared 40 sets of parasols each apart from the special ones.
Thousands and thousands of people were present in Swaraj Round just to have a view of the miraculous Royal Darbar. The crowd welcomed each parasol with loud applauses. And according to the myths, it is said that gods and goddesses in heaven above also will be present in the sky to see the greatest Royal Darbar on the earth.
City Journal, ThrissurNandakumar
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