As the summer heat is soaring to unbearable degrees, we at Thrissur – the cultural capital of Kerala - are waiting for yet another heat to descend on us. The renowned ‘Thrissur Pooram’ with all its splendour and grandeur is something every ‘Thrissurian’ holds closer to his heart. You may call it the national festival of Thrissur! All the roads, all the senses lead to only one destination – The Poora parambu or the festival ground. Celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam in April/May, this mega mela of our city attracts not just the local folk; even foreigners come to Thrissur to watch this.   History has it that the late Maharaja of the erstwhile Cochin State was instrumental in starting the Pooram. The largest temple festival in Kerala, Thrissur Pooram has a unique feature of being the joined effort of two major temples and numerous smaller temples in and around the city. The two main participants of the Pooram are Thiruvambadi temple of Lord Krishna and Paramekkavu Devi temple. What makes the Pooram even more special is the fact that the festival is celebrated in the premises of the Vadakkunnathan temple of Lord Siva. Both the deities come in processions from their respective temples. The smaller deities’ processions join them and the Vadakkunnathan temple ground becomes the meeting point of both the participants where all the spectacular events of the festival take place.   Thrissur Pooram offers a feast for the eyes, ears and mind. Where on earth can you see 30 caparisoned elephants swaying to the beats and music of renowned artistes? And each elephant getting a new fancy umbrella and parasols made of peacock feathers and white fur in a competition of display of umbrellas called Kuda mattam! This spectacular event is the most colourful item of Thrissur Pooram, even dividing the spectators into two groups – one cheering for Paramekkavu and the other for Thiruvambadi. This is the culmination of a year’s hard work by hundreds of families who make these parasols and umbrellas for each temple. Two days before the festival some of the caparisons, umbrellas and parasols are displayed for the public. But, each group would save the best of their wares for the Pooram day. The glitter and lustre of the caparisons are really something to watch, especially when the setting sun casts its rays on the gold plated bubbles of the caparisons. Thirty tuskers resplendent in shimmer and shine! And if you have an ear for a beat or two, come and enjoy the Panchavadyam – the five vadyas or musical instruments. Even if you do not enjoy any kind of music, this one is sure to rock you to the core! All the hearts, all the roads, all the buildings reverberate with the pulsating beats and rhythm that pour out from the orchestra of the five instruments – four percussion instruments Timila, Maddalam, Edakka, Elathalam and a wind instrument Kompu. The Pooram reaches the zenith of frenzy with the pyrotechnic in the early morning hours the next day. Thousand of spectators wait with bated breath for the fireworks to begin: on the terrace of private buildings, on the roads and lanes, on trees, and on the festival ground. Here also it is a contest between the two participant temples. The sky is the limit for the imagination and toil of hundreds of people who spend day and night to make the various firework items. The night sky blazes with the booming rockets, thunderous and sparkling dynamites; as if a million neon bulbs were flashing through the night. The most dazzling and throbbing climax for a festival that is aptly called the Festival of Festivals! It is not just the festival of Thrissur. Even people from other districts and states and countries come to this city to watch Pooram. Even those who are working abroad come home for this festival. The boundaries of religion and community have no place in this gala event. It is the festival of all, regardless of who he is or where he is from. Each and every household swarms with guests and relatives. The women of the houses have no time to breathe – preparing and serving delicacies, catering to the needs of the men and children who frequent the Pooram ground! Many of these women cannot even watch the Pooram. But, no worries! For them, the next day’s final ceremony is waiting. Almost all the men will be resting at home with the previous day’s excursions and the early morning fireworks. Now the women have their day. With new dresses specially made for this day, they throng the city – shopping from the balloon man for the kids, from the bangle vendor, from the kitchen utensil sellers etc. And by noon the Pooram comes to an end. Both the deities bid farewell to each other in the presence of Vadakkunnathan (Lord Siva) – till they meet next year. Note:-This year's Thrissur Pooram is on April 16.