Thrissur Pooram this year a celebration for women too

A group of women at Thrissur Pooram. Photo: Manorama

Gone are the days when women watched the Pooram live on TV from their homes. They have begun leaving the comfort of their rooms to personally experience the euphoria.

Women are seen everywhere across the Pooram venue this time. From the colourful sample fireworks to the exhibition of accouterments, the Pooram Vilambaram ritual, and the parading of elephants, all events associated with the annual gala have witnessed unprecedented participation of women.

The women of these days are not afraid of the mob or the rush. The scenes of young women capturing reels in the midst of the sample fireworks and the Pooram Vilambram ritual are indeed trending. 

After all, there is no reason why women should stay away on the occasion. For, six out of the eight deities who proceed to the Pooram venue to join the festivities are Goddesses. 

The rise in the participation of women in the event is also attributed to the steps initiated by the District administration and the police. Hundreds of women cops in plain clothes have been deployed all across the Pooram venue, and an additional batch of 4100 police officials have been engaged on security duty at the location.

Special barricades for women to watch the Kudamattam ceremony or the exchange of ornate umbrellas, a CCTV network, a public message system, and toilet facilities have been set up for the female Pooram enthusiasts. Pink Centres that offer basic facilities to women including toilets, feeding rooms, and resting places, too, have been established at different locations. Women officers have been tasked to guard these pink centers on a round-the-clock basis.

Pink centers to ensure the safety of women
Meanwhile, the police have set up Pink Safety Centres, with all basic facilities, at seven places for the safety of the women, who arrive in hundreds to witness the festival of festivals. The same have been functioning at City Centre, CMS School, Vadakke Stand complex, KS Bhavan along the AR Menon Road, Banerjee Club and SBI Naykanal branch and the CSB branch at Bennet Road.

“I feel immensely happy to witness the women participating in Pooram in hundreds. At one time, few women used to come to the Maidan on the festival day. More than the desire to directly experience all the things that I have only heard of so far, the thought that I shouldn’t back off from doing the things I like was the one that inspired me to participate in the Pooram. Spend time for new things and enjoy the thrilling experience and opportunities you receive,” K Divyaraj P R, a professional based in Kochi.

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