Annually, the Sree Ruthira Mahakalikavu Temple in Thrissur comes alive with the vibrant Uthralikkavu Pooram festival, drawing visitors from near and far. This grand celebration spans eight days, with its highlight being the majestic procession of around twenty-one elephants, each adorned in traditional attire with colorful parasols, swaying venchamarams (white tufts), and aalavattams (peacock-feather fans). Held every year in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February/March), this festival is dedicated to Goddess Kali and features both day and night elephant processions.

The Uthralikkavu Pooram is a highly anticipated event in the region. Traditional musical ensembles such as Panchavadyam and Pandimelam add rhythm and grandeur to the elephant processions. Besides the processions, the festival offers a rich cultural experience with various temple and folk art performances, making it a true celebration of Kerala's heritage.

Located at Wadakkanchery in the Thalappilly taluk of Thrissur district, the Sree Ruthira Mahakalikavu Temple becomes the epicentre of activity and media attention during the festival season. Despite its modest size compared to other temples in Kerala, its picturesque setting amidst paddy fields and highlands provides a stunning backdrop for the Pooram's features such as elephant processions, fireworks, and percussion orchestras.

The festival kicks off with a flag-hoisting ceremony (kodiyettam) on the second Tuesday of Kumbham, coinciding with the local Machattu Mamangam festival. The main Pooram event takes place the following Tuesday, featuring a grand display of caparisoned elephants from three neighboring village temples: Enkakkad, Kumaranellur, and Wadakkanchery. Each team presents seven to eleven elephants, all decorated with traditional ornaments like nettipattam (trunk masks), aalavattam (shields), and venchamaram (fans). The central elephant carries a large plaque (thidambu or kolam) representing the deity.

In addition to the elephant processions, the Uthralikkavu Pooram includes the Kuthira Vela, a procession featuring wooden horses, and various other events dedicated by different communities. A key highlight of the festival is the percussion orchestra performances, particularly the Panchavadyam session, which showcases the talents of leading Panchavadyam artists from Central Kerala.

The fireworks display at Uthralikkavu Pooram is renowned as the second biggest in Kerala, after the Nenmara Vallangi Vela. The festival features two spectacular fireworks shows: one in the evening on the day of the Pooram and another in the early morning of the following day. The unique landscape of the temple, located in a low valley surrounded by hills, enhances the reverberation and impact of the explosive sounds, creating an unforgettable experience for the tens of thousands of spectators who gather to witness the event.