'Tigers' will roam the streets of Thrissur today afternoon as the rhythms of the wild resonate in the much-loved pulikali (tiger dance) festival of the district.
As legs wearing anklets begin swaying to the beat, marking the artists’ entry, the city will gather to watch men and women dressed up as the majestic animals prancing around. Tigers, tigresses, black tigers, and cubs are all set to dance in gay abandon, energising the entire land.
Five teams
Five Pulikali teams have been arrayed by teams from Sitaram Mill Lane, Sakthan, Ayyanthole, Kanattukara, and Viyyur. According to the City Corporation’s guidelines, a team should have a minimum of 35 tigers and a maximum of 51. This year, all five teams have 51 tigers each. The "tigresses" are from Viyyur Desam.
Order of arrival
Sitaram, Kanattukara and Ayyanthole Pulikali teams will reach the Round through MG road. Sitaram will reach Naduvilal at first, followed by Kanattukara and Ayyanthole Desam.
The Sakthan Pulikali team will enter the Round through M.O. Road. Following this, the team will turn left and leave in the Ragam theatre direction.
The Viyyur Desam will arrive from the North bus stand side and reach near Bini Tourist Home before turning left.
- The schedule
Sitaram Mill Lane - 3:30 p.m. (starts from Punkunnam), 5.20 p.m. (Naduvilal), 6 p.m. (Naikkanal), 6.30 p.m. (Bini), 7 p.m. (Paramekkavu), 7:45 p.m. (M.O. Road), 8.30 p.m. (leaves from Naduvilal through MG Road). - Sakthan – 4.30 p.m. (M.O. Road), 5:30 p.m. to 5.50 pm (Naduvilal), 6.30 p.m. (Naikkanal), 7 p.m. (Bini), 7.30 p.m. (Paramekkavu), 8.15 p.m. (leaves through M.O. Road)
- Kanattukara – 4.30 p.m. (starts from Kanattukara), 6 p.m. - 6.20 p.m. (Naduvilal), 7 p.m. (Naikkanal), 7.30 p.m. (Bini), 8 p.m. (Paramekkavu), 8.45 p.m. (M.O. Road), 9 p.m. (leaves from Naduvilal through MG Road)
- Ayyanthole - 6:30 p.m. to 6.50 p.m. (Naduvilal), 7:30 p.m. (Naikkanal), 8 p.m. (Bini), 8.30 p.m. (Paramekkavu), 9.15 p.m. (M.O. Road), 9:30 p.m. (leaves from Naduvilal through MG Road).
- Viyyur - 4:30 p.m. (Bini), 5 p.m. (Paramekkavu), 5.45 (M.O. Road), 7 p.m. to 7.20 p.m. (Naduvilal), 8 p.m. (Naikkanal), 8.50 p.m. (Leaves from Bini Junction through the North stand)
