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India Today
05-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Thrissur Pooram returns with grandeur after last year's political disruption
Kerala's iconic Thrissur Pooram festival is set to take place tomorrow, following the ceremonial announcement, known as 'Pooram Vilambaram', which was held today in a grand and traditional revered tusker Ernakulam Shivakumar carried the idol of Neythalakav Bhagavathy and ceremoniously opened the southern entrance (Thekke Nada) of the Vadakkumnathan temple, officially marking the commencement of the Pooram festivities. Thousands of devotees and festival enthusiasts gathered at the temple to witness the momentous intense heat and heavy morning rain, the crowd waited patiently for hours to glimpse the ceremonial entry. Their anticipation turned to jubilant celebration as Ernakulam Shivakumar, affectionately known as Sahya Putran, majestically bore Neythalakavilamma on his forehead and opened the temple gates. The elephant then raised its trunk in a symbolic gesture, formally announcing the arrival of Pooram. The morning downpour gave way to clear skies by midday, lifting the spirits of those assembled. The ceremonial procession, locally referred to as the 'Ezhunnallippu', began at around 8 am from Neythalakkavu and reached the grounds of the Vadakkumnathan temple by 1 pm, passing through the archways and culminating at Thekke Nada. The route was lined with elephant enthusiasts and festival-goers, while traditional percussion ensembles (melam) set the rhythm for the jubilant year's Thrissur Pooram carries added significance, following the political controversy that marred last year's edition. Held just a week before Kerala went to the polls for the Lok Sabha elections, the 2024 Pooram was disrupted in a series of incidents that triggered widespread public 19 April 2024, the day of Thrissur Pooram, police were accused of using excessive force to control crowds and of imposing unusually strict restrictions, including barricading entry points. For the first time in the festival's history, the traditional fireworks display was held during the daytime, widely seen as a form of protest against police to these events, action was taken against the Thrissur city police commissioner and assistant commissioner. An inquiry led by senior officer Ajith Kumar was submitted to the Chief Minister on September 24. However, the Opposition dismissed the report as a farce, accusing Kumar of shifting blame onto the temple board while ignoring the failures of the Reel IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Thrissur Pooram declared open with Vilambaram ritual
Thrissur woke up to the pulse of Pooram on Monday, drums rolling, conches blowing, and hearts racing. The 36-hour-long festivities of Thrissur Pooram officially kicked off as Neythalakavilamma made her majestic entry, escorted with devotion and ceremony, opening the Thekke Gopura Nada of the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple. Elephant Ernakulam Shivakumar carried the 'thidambu' of Neythalakavu Bhagavathy. Devotees and Pooram enthusiasts gathered at Neythalakavu in Kuttur early in the morning to send off the goddess on her journey to the Vadakkunnathan temple. Ministers K. Rajan and R. Bindu; MLA Xavier Chittilappilly; District Collector Arjun Pandian; and Thrissur City Police Commissioner R. Ilango were present to witness the solemn departure. The ceremonial procession was received at the Sreemoola Sthanam of the Vadakkunnathan temple to the accompaniment of percussion ensembles. The procession entered through the West Gopuram and exited through the South Gopuram, where elephant Shivakumar greeted the crowd with a raised trunk, completing the Pooram proclamation ritual. Every participating deity in Thrissur Pooram has a unique role and responsibility. Neythalakavilamma's duty is to pave the path for the entry of Kanımangalam Shasta (another participating deity) early in the morning on Pooram day, symbolically unlocking the South Gopuram.
