The Hindu : Kerala News : Grand finale to Thrissur Pooram

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Sunday, May 02, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Grand finale to Thrissur Pooram

By Our Staff Reporter

A scene from the farewell ceremony of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples held in front of the Vadakkunnathan temple on Saturday to mark the culmination of the Thrissur Pooram.

THRISSUR, MAY 1. The 36-hour long spectacular cultural extravaganza, the Thrissur Pooram came to a close with the ceremonial farewell bidding ceremony of the deities of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswoms atop their leading elephants, in front of the Vadakkunnathan temple this afternoon.

After participating in this festival of colour, drum concerts, elephant processions, exchange of parasols and the magnificent fireworks display, the people of the city were in a relaxed mood.

There was a slight decline in the crowds this time for the Pooram events, particularly for the fireworks display. The death of the explosive license holder of the Thiruvambadi side during the sample fireworks display on Wednesday had dampened the enthusiasm of most people.

Apart from the evident hazards involved in conducting the elaborate fireworks, the movement of numerous tuskers through a sea of humanity during the Pooram processions and the famous Kudamattam (exchange of parasols) session are basically risky operations. Even one elephant running amok in such a crowded place can lead to a disaster.

The authorities as well as the temple management committees must have heaved a sigh of relief when the Pooram events were over without any untoward incidents. But they know that an event that draws such a vast multitude of people to a relatively small city like Thrissur can be conducted peacefully only because of the discipline maintained by the people of Thrissur.

Like every year, this year also there were many minor skirmishes and altercations between individuals but it was defused by the people themselves.

The fireworks display this time was as intense as it used to be. The Thiruvambadi side had slightly reduced the intensity of fireworks display in the background of the accident, but the Paramekkavu side's display was very intense.

However, it remains to be seen whether there would be any investigations to find out any banned chemicals were used or whether all the norms prescribed by the Controller of Explosives were adhered to.

There was a fireworks display after the farewell rituals of both the temples. Thousands of people from the city and suburbs had gathered to watch the Pooram programmes including the Pandimelam and procession of caparisoned elephants of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu sides held this morning.

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