Thrissur Pooram is the spectacular festival of light and color, percussion and elephants. It is the most colorful temple festival of Kerala, which attracts large masses of devotees and spectators from all part of the state and Globe.

Celebrated in April-May, it consists of processions of rich caparisoned elephants from various neighboring temples to the Vadakunnatha Temple. This is a two century old festival of procession of caparisoned elephants and enthralling performances in a never ending succession is an 36 hours marathon event of incredible beauty, a feast for the eye and the ear, unfolding between 6 am to 12 noon the other day. Different from the usual temple festival, Thrissur Pooram is participated and conducted by people across all barriers of religion and caste.

The most impressive processions are those from the Krishna Temple at Thiruvambadi and the Devi Temple at Paramekkavu, both situated in the town itself. The hours-long dazzling fire works submerge the Thrissur city of Kerala in an ocean of color. The commissioning of elephants and parasols is done in the utmost secrecy by each party to excel the other. Commencing in the early hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn, the next day.