The famous Arattupuzha Pooram is an assembly of Gods in Arattupuzha, 15 kms from Trichur, which is chaired by the Lord himself i.e. Lord Sree Rama the presiding deity of Triprayar Temple. And this beautiful photo captures the beginning of the royal journey to attend this Pooram. The Triprayar Temple is situated on the banks of a river and what strikes you is the fact that the river is unusually calm and pristine in the temple precints.The river flows by right in front of the Temple. Therefore whenever the Lord embarks on a royal journey his tour begins in this humble manner. But it speaks volumes about how the real culture gets merged with the festivities of a land. When I first saw this photo I was bowled over by these very thoughts and what better way to start off my blogging than with this photo of the royal journey.
The Lord continues his journey on reaching the banks, on the mighty tusker. There are no accompaniments other than a few on the traditional "Chenda". But a sea of humanity accompanies him on foot and what a sight it is..The Lord amidst these ordinary folks is awe-inspiring and as he moves slowly ahead, each household welcomes him with fireworks timed to such perfection that people from far across can really identify as to where the royal journey has reached.
The Lord returns the next day in the same manner, with the sea of humanity following him albeit a bit tired, having walked miles. But this ritual undertaken every year gives them more strength to come back the very next year. Such is the power, the charm and the gratification that this Pooram provides.
