Thrissur Pooram celebrations curtailed in view of fireworks unit tragedy

Thruvananthapuram: Even as the celebrations of the Thrissur Pooram festival has been scaled down in view of the firework unit explosion that claimed around 15 lives, thousands thronged the Thekkinkadu ground of the Vadakkunnathan temple in the heart of Thrissur city on Sunday to witness the festival.

Compared to previous years, the excitement level of the spectators was comparatively low this time in view of the fireworks unit tragedy that happened hardly five days back, on April 21.

Elephants representing the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms, the key organisers of the festival, participated in the exchange of decorative parasols ('Kudamattam').

While the Kudamattam usually extends for more than an hour, this time it was limited to around 15 minutes only. A percussion performance as part of the Pooram was also held.

The firework display in the wee hours of Sunday was totally abandoned in view of the tragedy.

Explosions happened at the firework making unit of the Thiruvambady devaswom situated at Mundathicode in Thrissur city. As many as 15 persons were killed and many still under treatment.

In view of the tragedy, there was a strong demand to abandon the entire Pooram celebrations. But since all arrangements were put in place, it was decided at a meeting convened by the state government to abandon the fireworks and scale down the 'Kudamattam' celebration.