Thrissur Pooram Celebrated with Enthusiasm Despite Curtailed Rituals After Mundathikode Tragedy

Thrissur: The famed Thrissur Pooram witnessed undiminished enthusiasm as thousands gathered in Thrissur, even as key rituals were scaled down in the wake of the Mundathikode fireworks tragedy.

The highlight event, Kudamattam (the ceremonial exchange of decorated parasols), was significantly shortened this year. Traditionally lasting around one and a half hours, the spectacle was trimmed to about 15–20 minutes. The ceremony began at 6 pm and concluded by around 6.20 pm, yet it retained its vibrant spirit.

The sprawling Thekkinkadu Maidan turned into a sea of spectators as the iconic display unfolded. Teams from Paramekkavu Devaswom and Thiruvambadi Devaswom competed in a dazzling showcase, rapidly raising and replacing intricately designed, colorful parasols in quick succession due to time constraints.

Each side lined up with 15 elephants, maintaining the grandeur associated with the festival. Elephant caparisoned in traditional ornaments carried the 'Thidambu', with Thrikadavoor Shivaraju leading for Paramekkavu and Chandrasekharan representing Thiruvambadi.

Earlier in the day, preparations for Kudamattam began after the conclusion of the famed Ilanjithara Melam. With the major fireworks displays—both the sample fireworks and the main early-morning display on the 27th—cancelled by the Devaswoms following the recent accident, the celebrations have taken a more restrained form.

Despite these limitations, festival-goers continued to revel in the spirit of Pooram, now eagerly awaiting the remaining events of the night.