With fireworks unlikely, Thrissur pooram to be bare rituals

Thrissur: 'Thrissur Pooram', mother of all temple festivals in the State, could be robbed off its glitter this year with a key participant saying there were doubts over getting nod for the fireworks display, a chief attraction.

'Pooram', known for its colourful fireworks display and caparisoned elephants and a tourist attraction, is held annually and this year the grand finale of the week-long festivities is slated to be held on May 5.

Restrictions on firework display had been imposed in the state following the devastating mishap during a firework show at Puttingal Devi temple at Paravoor in Kollam District in April last year that left 108 people killed and scores severely injured.

An official of one of the ten participating temples in the pooram said they might have to conduct the famous event with bare rituals if permission for firework was not granted.

"We have not taken a final decision, but there is a possibility that license for firework might not be given," Paramekkavu Devasowm Secretary G Rajesh said.

He said they were ready to down size the magnitude of the firework and also sound of crackers.

In such a situation, the famed 'Iilanjithara melam', a performance of percussion artists, and also the Kudamattom', exchange of ornamental umbrella on top of parading elephants, would have to be done away with.

"We will conduct the festival just as a ritual... We will also not conduct the fireworks with crackers made in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, the national hub for crackers," he said.

Meanwhile, flags were hoisted at Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady temples, two major players in organising Pooram, and also eight other participating temples yesterday, marking the beginning of the festivities and rituals associated with it.

Last year, Kerala High Court had allowed low-decibel fireworks display in the night during the Pooram festival.