The ‘Tigers’ cheered in Thrissur

A display of ‘tiger’ costume by Ayyanthole Desam as part of Pulikkali celebrations. Pulikkali will perform in Thrissur on Saturday. | Photo credit: KK Najeeb

The city of Thrissur is preparing for a “tiger” invasion. On Saturday, the city will explode with colour, rhythm and raw festive energy as the legendary Pulikkali takes over the Swaraj Round, with more than 400 painted artists expected to parade through the streets.

As part of the grand Onam tradition, nine Pulikkali teams will parade through the city, each bringing their own colorful troupe of ‘tigers’, a pulivandi (float) and a scene combining mythology with contemporary themes. Each team will field 35 to 51 performers.

The participating teams are Viyyur Yuvajana Sangam, Kuttankulangara Desam, Patturaikkal Desam, Punkunnam Sitaram Mill Desam, Chakkamukku Desam, Kanattukara Desam, Olarikkara, Sankaramkulangara Desam and Ayyanthole Desam. This year will be special for Olarikkar who is making his debut in Pulikkali.

Color preview

The proceedings will begin at 4:00 PM at the Bini junction where Minister OJ Janeesh will flag off the celebrations. From there, the nine teams will reach the city center from various junctions that converge to the Swaraj Round. Viyyur Yuvajana Sangam will be the first team to reach the Swaraj Round at 4 pm while Ayyanthole Desam will be behind.

The streets were already buzzing with anticipation. Weeks of preparation entered the spectacle, the performers underwent painstaking body painting, the teams practiced their signature Pulikottu drum beats and the floats were put through their final trials. The popular ‘Puli Chamaya Pradarshanam’, featuring Pulikkali extras, has already given residents a colorful preview of the main event.

Second favorite

For Thrissur, Pulikkali is not just another Onam programme; it is woven into the cultural fabric of the festival, much like the caparisoned elephants that are synonymous with Pooram.

But on Pulikkali day, the elephants turn their attention to another, somewhat more unusual attraction: burly tigers with bellies painted in vivid colors and moving to the thunderous beat of drums.

As painted faces growl, bellies swing and drums pound across the city, Thrissur is once again set to prove that when Onam arrives, the tiger has a special place in its heart.

Published – 28 Aug 2026 20:16 IST