India - Thrissur Poraam
The Poraam culminates in two teams of ornamented elephants from competing temples that stand on either side of a huge playground – ready for the face-off of umbrellas – the ‘changing of umbrellas' or `kudamattam' as the ritual is popularly known.
The elephants are decorated with nettipattam (decorative golden headdress), strikingly crafted Kolam, decorative bells, ornaments and the umbrellas, venchamaram, and alavattam.
The umbrellas vary in shape, size and colour. At the end a panel of judges decides which team wins.
Read MoreThe elephants are decorated with nettipattam (decorative golden headdress), strikingly crafted Kolam, decorative bells, ornaments and the umbrellas, venchamaram, and alavattam.
The umbrellas vary in shape, size and colour. At the end a panel of judges decides which team wins.
