Tue Feb 24 15:27:21 UTC 2026: # Uthralikkavu Pooram Celebrated with Grandeur in Kerala
The Story:
The annual Uthralikkavu Pooram festival, a significant cultural event in central Kerala, took place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Uthralikkavu Temple in Wadakkanchery. Thousands of devotees and enthusiasts gathered to witness the traditional festivities, which included processions of caparisoned elephants, Panchavadyam ensembles, fireworks displays, and various cultural performances. The festival is a post-harvest celebration held in the paddy fields surrounding the temple.
Key Points:
* The festival commenced around 11:30 a.m. with the ezhunnallippu (procession) of Enkakkad Desam, accompanied by Panchavadyam.
* Eleven elephants, including the renowned Thiruvambady Chandrasekharan, participated in the Enkakkad procession.
* Kumaranellur Desam and Wadakkanchery Desam also held their respective processions with caparisoned elephants and traditional percussion.
* A fireworks display was staged by Wadakkanchery Desam around 4:30 p.m.
* Cultural programs such as Padayani, elephant caparison exhibitions, and traditional art performances were organized.
* The celebrations were scheduled to conclude on Wednesday with fireworks, Pandimelam, Kootiyezhunnallippu, and the Pongalidi ceremony.
Key Takeaways:
* The Uthralikkavu Pooram remains a vibrant and important cultural event in Kerala, drawing large crowds and reaffirming its spiritual significance.
* The festival showcases traditional Kerala art forms, including Panchavadyam, Thayambaka, and Padayani.
* The involvement of multiple desams (regions) highlights the community-based nature of the festival.
First Piper 