Thrissur: Amid the second wave of the pandemic, the authorities decided to conduct Thrissur Pooram without allowing the public. A

ll rituals of Pooram except ‘Chamaya Pradarshanam’ (display of caparisons) will be carried out this time. The entry of ‘Khadaka Pooram’ (small Pooram) from nearby temples and ‘Ilanjithara Melam’ will be carried out as per the custom.

‘Kudamattam’ will be carried out symbolically. The Thiruvambady team has decided to change one or two sets of umbrellas during K

udamattam. Paramekkavu team also informed that they will observe the ritual with 4 to 5 sets of umbrellas.

Thiruvambady devaswom will parade one elephant and Paramekkavu will parade 15 elephants for ‘ Thekootirakkam’ ritual.

Sample fireworks scheduled for April 21, Wednesday will not be held. Instead of the fireworks, both temples will fire one ‘Kuzhiminnal’ (a kind of firework) symbolically.

On Thursday, ‘Poora Vilambaram’, the proclamation of the festival, will be held at Vadakumnathan temple. Carrying the idol of Neythalakkavu Bhagavathi, elephant Ernakulam Sivakumar will open the south door of the temple to mark the ceremony.

But the public is strictly restricted from attending any rituals of Thrissur Pooram. Only people who are necessary for the rituals w

ill be allowed in ‘Madathilvaravu’ and ‘Ilanjitharamelam’ on Pooram day which falls on April 23, Friday.

Main fireworks will be held on Saturday at 3 am. But the entry for public is strictly restricted. ‘Pakal Pooram’ and ‘Upacharam Cholli Piriyal’ will be carried out as per the custom.

Though the devaswom committees sought relaxations in the COVID restrictions, the government declined their request because of the surge in COVID cases.

Amidst this, many people including cultural activists expressed protest against conducting Thrissur Pooram amid the second wave of the coronavirus. Following this, Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswom committees held talks and decided to conduct Pooram by observing the rituals and avoiding the celebrations.

  pooram