No fireworks for Thrissur pooram this year, rituals to be held, Kudamattam time reduced
In a meeting attended by the officials of the District administration, police and representatives of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms, it was decided to continue with the rituals for the festival.
In a meeting attended by the officials of the District administration, police and representatives of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms, it was decided to continue with the rituals for the festival.
In a meeting attended by the officials of the District administration, police and representatives of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms, it was decided to continue with the rituals for the festival.
Thrissur: A high-level meeting held here on Thursday decided to avoid fireworks for this year's Thrissur pooram in the wake of the firecracker unit tragedy at Mundathikod. Fourteen people died, and four people were reported missing following an explosion in the cracker manufacturing units set up for Thiruvambady Devaswom.
In the meeting held at the Thrissur Collectorate attended by ministers, officials, and representatives of Paramekkavu Devaswom and Thiruvambady Devaswom, it was decided to continue with the rituals for the festival.
Earlier, Paramekkavu Devaswom had expressed interest in conducting the main fireworks display while skipping the sample fireworks. However, this proposal was dropped during minister-level discussions. Instead of the full fireworks display, only a single ceremonial firework item, such as a “kathina” or “kuzhiminnal”, will be held to maintain tradition.
The famed “Kudamattam” ceremony will also be scaled down. Traditionally, each side prepares 50 sets of ornamental umbrellas, but the number will be reduced this year. The duration of the event has also been cut from the usual one hour to just 15 minutes. Fifteen elephants, each from Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady, will participate in the ceremony.
Paramekkavu Devaswom Secretary G Rajesh stated that key rituals such as the Ilanjithara Melam and elephant procession are integral to the tradition and cannot be avoided.
Thiruvambady Devaswom Secretary K Girish Kumar said the devaswom accepts the government’s directions in the wake of the recent tragedy. Fireworks will be completely avoided, and Kudamattam will be limited to a symbolic ritual, while other customs will continue unchanged.
Earlier on Wednesday, both the Devaswoms said that they would adhere to any decisions taken by the government. The district administration slapped a stop memo on the firecracker unit of Paramekkavu Devaswom. A case was also registered against the licensee of the Devaswom by the Kollamcode police.
The meeting was attended by ministers R Bindu, V N Vasavan, and K Rajan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, District Collector Shikha Surendran, City Police Commissioner Naveen R Deshmukh, and other government officials.