The Hindu : Front Page : Thousands witness Pooram

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Saturday, Apr 28, 2007
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Thousands witness Pooram

Staff Reporter

Two elephants run amok triggering panic for some time

COLOURFUL POORAM: A scene from the procession of the Paramekkavu Devaswom. (More photos on Page 2) — Photo: K.K. Najeeb

Thrissur: Two elephants ran amok and triggered panic at the Thrissur Pooram, but the incidents did not dampen the enthusiasm of Pooram-lovers as the festival unfolded in a blaze of colour and rhythm on Friday.

The elephants, Thiruvambadi Unnikrishnan and Nayarambalam Rajasekharan, became violent as a procession of the Thiruvambadi Devaswom reached the Sreemoolasthanam of the Sree Vadakkunnathan temple around 4.30 p.m.

Panic spread through the crowd as Unnikrishnan ran amok on the Thekkinkad maidan. The elephant was brought to control within 45 minutes. Rajasekharan ran about 2 km and was brought to control at Kokkalai. The elephant was tethered later. Sixteen persons were injured in the incidents. Some of them were admitted to the District Hospital. Their condition was not serious, hospital sources said.

The incidents delayed the `koodikazcha' ceremony, scheduled to be held at 5.10 p.m., by an hour.

Round South hosted this major Pooram rite, in which the deities of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temple symbolically met after paying obeisance to the deity of the Vadakkunnathan temple.

`Kudamattom' (display of decorative umbrellas), the most colourful event of the day, was staged before a sea of humanity. Friendly competition between the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswom animated the event. People lent support and shared their energy as each side displayed its exclusive collection.

The festivities began with the arrival of Cheru Pooram processions in Thrissur town in the morning.

Panchavadyam, led by Annamanada Parameswara Marar, drummed up excitement at the Madathil Varavu ceremony held at Pazhayanadakkavu, west of the Maidan. The highly classical, unadulterated display proved that Thrissur Pooram was the last word in traditional percussion artistry. Equally exciting was Ilanjitharamelam, a band of about 300 percussionists led by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar, staged in the Vadakkannathan temple.

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