The famous
Thrissur Pooram festival began here today with deities of eight small temples
arriving in front of Lord Vadakkunathan temple for the annual ritual amid tight
security in the light of the Kollam temple tragedy and strict guidelines issued
by the Kerala High Court for its conduct.
Thousands of people, including foreign tourists have gathered at
the cultural capital of Kerala to enjoy the 36-hour-long festival, which will
culminate early tomorrow morning with a massive display of fireworks.
Tight security is in place for this year’s festival in light of
the Puttingal Devi temple firework tragedy at Paravoor in Kollam last Sunday,
which claimed 108 lives.
There were apprehensions about whether the festival could be
held in its traditional form after the district administration put a lot of
restrictions on organising fireworks and elephant processions in the wake of
the Kollam temple tragedy.
People cutting across religious lines and politics rallied
behind two private Devaswoms – Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady – demanding that
the best known cultural festival of Kerala be allowed to be held in its
traditional form.
The High Court and state government took a favourable position
in the matter, albeit with a lot of security conditions.
Elephant parade and playing of traditional percussion
instruments are the other attractions of the Pooram.
Chief Minister Oommen
Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had held a special meeting with
office bearers of the festival organising committee and assured them of all
safety and security steps to organise Pooram festival without losing the
essence of its tradition, beauty and culture.Source: PTI/The Quint
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