Amidst uncertainty, it is being said that Thrissur pooram will be celebrated will all its gaiety. Kerala government has on today said that all necessary steps will be taken for the smooth conduct of the festival. The UNESCO has adjudged Pooram as the "most spectacular festival event on the planet".
People cutting across religions and politics protested against the restrictions imposed on the festival. Archbishop of Catholic Church in Thrissur, Mar Andrews Thazhathu, joined the protest being held at the gates of famous Vadakkumnatha Temple. "What is Thrissur without pooram," he asked.
The state Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has withdrawn an order issued by his department imposing curbs on elephant procession - a major attraction of the Pooram. The tradition was initiated 200 years ago by renowned King of Kochi kingdom, Sakthan Thampuran.
"There will be no such restrictions for this year's Pooram. We will ensure all necessary steps for a smooth conduct of the festival," Radhakrishnan said.
The restrictions were withdrawn after considering the pleas of Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswom boards, bodies responsible for smooth functioning of temples as per traditional rituals and customs.
Administration sources said that the famous Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi Devaswoms had already got sanction from the Deputy Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), to keep and use 2,000 kgs each of crackers and pyrotechnic materials for the fireworks show for the festival till 2018. Earlier, District Collector V Ratheesan chaired a meeting of all stakeholders including office-bearers of the temple boards and police to take stock of the situation in the backdrop of the Kollam tragedy.
Kerala High Court had on Tuesday banned the use of high-decibel fireworks in the night in the backdrop of the Puttingal Temple fire tragedy in Kollam. "We will not take any risk. If there is no fireworks, we will have to abandon this national festival," K Manoharan, President of the Paramekkavu Devaswom, had said.
“The district administration has decided to give sanction to hold Thrissur Pooram fireworks. Sanction will be given after completing all official formalities necessary for such events,” the official told.
Thrissur is best known for its Pooram festival and is the most colourful and spectacular temple festivals of Kerala. Devotees and spectators from all parts of the state and outside throng the venue of the Pooram to catch the glimpse of the happenings. Fireworks display, procession of majestically caparisoned elephants and changing of sequined parasols are the major attractions of Pooram festival.
Thrissur Pooram celebrations are scheduled to take place on Sunday.
By Premji
