Kerala: Police Restrictions Lead To Thiruvambady Devaswom Halting Thrissur Pooram Festivities

The iconic fireworks display at the Thrissur Pooram was notably subdued on Saturday (20 April) morning, as the show typically known for its night-time brilliance was diminished by daylight, following prolonged delay in festivities due to police restrictions.

Protests over police restrictions at Thekkinkadu maidan delayed the iconic Thrissur Pooram fireworks for more than four hours.

As a result, the colourful fireworks, one of the most sought-after pyrotechnics shows in Kerala, was forced to display in the daylight, reducing it to a mere show of smoke and sound.

Many attendees, who had hoped to experience the traditional vibrant display, left disappointed.

The annual festival, which draws large crowds and is a significant cultural event, faced disruptions this year due to police-imposed delays.

Earlier on Friday (19 April), the Thiruvambady section halted the festivities as police erected barricades during the ezhunallippu (procession) at the time of Madathil Varavu Panchavadyam.

Consequently, the percussion artists dispersed from the Vadakkunnatha temple, and the elephants, along with Pooram enthusiasts, followed suit.

The Thiruvambady Devaswom protested by switching off the lights at the Pooram panthal in Naduvilal junction, marking a historic first, Manorama Online reported.

The Paramekkavil section also encountered similar interruptions from police barricades, adding to the disruptions.

With the Thiruvambady section calling off the Pooram, uncertainty clouded the fate of the fireworks display.

However, following discussions with state Minister K Rajan, the Thiruvambady faction agreed to conduct fireworks after Paramekkavu in the morning, prompting the pandal lights to be switched on.

On Saturday, the Paramekkavu Devaswom kicked off the fireworks display around 7 am, which was followed by the Thiruvambadi Devaswom show.

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