Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday modified its earlier order prohibiting parading of elephants from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in festivals with respect to the Thrissur Pooram and allowed the parading of elephants during the above timings during festivals on certain conditions.

The conditions are: elephants to be paraded in the Pooram festivals will be given rest during morning hours and the previous night. Elephants should be fed well before they are paraded. They should be provided drinking water during the procession and the required food.

If the elephants are made to stand on tarred roads, water should be poured over them. Two hours' rest after 3 p.m. should be given to elephants before re-engaging them again at 5 p.m. If any elephant showed any signs of discomfort, it should be substituted with another one.

Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair also directed the Thrissur District Collector, who is the Chairman of the Pooram Festival Celebrations Committee, to ensure that the conditions were complied with by the Devaswoms.

The order came on a petition filed by the secretaries of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms seeking to modify Wednesday's prohibition order. According to them, the order would disturb the Pooram festival to be held on April 27 and 28.

They also submitted that the processions in connection with the festival would be taken out at 7.30 a.m. from various places.

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