Thrissur: The Kerala Festival Coordination Committee has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Thrissur district on Thursday to protest the stringent regulations imposed on temple festivals including the world-famous Thrissur Pooram.
The shutdown is to protest the curbs on parading of elephants and fireworks in the festivals.
The Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party have also announced their support for the hartal.
Last year, the Pooram was conducted amid tight security in the light of the Kollam temple tragedy that claimed over 100 lives. After the tragedy, the Kerala High Court had put in place a number of strict guidelines on religious festivals that involve fireworks.
The High Court had then allowed low-decibel fireworks display at night during the Thrissur Pooram, exempting it from the ban imposed in the wake of the Kollam temple tragedy.
Kudamattam, fireworks, parading of elephants and traditional percussion music are the main attractions of Thrissur Pooram.