Thrissur Pooram Set for Sunday Without Fireworks; All Rituals Including Symbolic Kudamattam to Proceed

Thrissur: Even as the city mourns the victims of the Mundathikode fireworks tragedy, preparations for the Thrissur Pooram are complete, with both the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswoms ready to conduct the festival on Sunday — minus the fireworks that are one of its most spectacular element.

The Pooram festivities formally begin on Saturday with the Neythalakkavu section's elephant Ernakulam Sivakumar carrying the sacred Thidambu — heralding the Pooram — as the thekke gopura gate opens at around 11.30 am. The elephant fitness examinations for all participating elephants will begin at 4 pm on Saturday, held separately at the Thekkinkadu Maidan for the Thiruvambadi section and at a ground behind the Agrashala for the Paramekkavu section. The Paramekkavu section's elephant caparison display has begun at the Agrashala, while the Thiruvambadi section's display will be held at Kaustubham Auditorium on Saturday.

Sunday's Schedule

The Pooram proper begins on Sunday morning with the Cheruppoorams, with Kanimangalam section arriving first at the Vadakkumnatha temple, followed by processions from the other seven sections. The Thiruvambadi section will leave for the Matham with Parayeduppu ceremonies at 7 am, with the celebrated Madathil Varavu Panchavadyam beginning at 11.30 am. The Madathil Varavu concludes at Naykkanal Pandal around 3 pm, transitioning into the Pandimelam before moving to the Sreemoolasthanam. The Paramekkavu section's procession departs at noon, with the Ilanjithara Melam commencing at 2.30 pm. The southward descent takes place at 5.30 pm, followed by a 15-minute symbolic Kudamattam.

The sample fireworks display that was scheduled for Friday and the main fireworks in the early hours of Monday have both been cancelled in the wake of the Mundathikode disaster. Both sections' night processions, Monday's daytime Pooram, and the concluding Uchakku Upacharam farewell ceremony will proceed as customary.