Uthralikkavu, or Rudra Maha Kali Kavu, is a Devi temple in Central Kerala, situated in the halcyon pastures of Akamala Desham, in Thalappilli Taluk, Enkakkad Village, Wadakancheri Panchayat, Trichur District, Kerala, famous for its annual pooram/vela festival.
Uthralikavu Pooram is one of the spectacular temple festivals to be witnessed in Central Kerala during summer (Feb-Mar).
Uthralikavu ; A Temple in the middle of Paddy Fields and nearby Rail Tracks
Cover Image : Sumod OG.
It is a festival filled with thrills and excitements with the procession and marching past of a number of elephants with colorful decoration to the accompaniment of the resounding Panchavadyam and the Pandimelam – two types of drum orchestration quite loved by the locals and tourists alike – and the fireworks that follow after the panchavadyam and chendamelam is one, it can be said, with no parallels to be found anywhere, even in Trichur Pooram that is wellknown all over the world.
Fireworks
It is the second biggest fireworks after Nenmara Vallangi Vela. The most spectacular show during the Pooram is the magnificent and thunderous fireworks that takes place twice. One during the evening 4 pm on the pooram day and the other during the early morning hours of succeeding day (typically at 4:00 am).
The fireworks is of a class of its own among such fireworks shows of Kerala temple festivals. The peculiar landscape (of being a low valley surrounded by many hills) adds extra reverberation and reinforcement to the already well-engineered explosive sounds produced.
The show is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people gathered from various parts of the state. Nenmara Vallangi Vela is also celebrated like poorams and it is famous for the fireworks (Vedikkettu).
Uthralikkavu temple is some two kilometres north of Wadackanchery on the Kodungallore-Shoranur state highway. Just aside the Thrissur – Shoranur Railway line, amidst the paddy fields and surrounded by a chain of highlands and hills, the temple compound forms a rather arena-like stage where the Pooram and its associated features such as elephant procession, fireworks, percussion orchestra etc. would be held.