Necessary steps will be taken for conduct of Pooram: Ker govt

Amid widespread allegations of "creating hurdles" in organising the famed 'Thrissur Pooram' in the wake of Kollam temple tragedy, Kerala government today said all necessary steps would be taken for the smooth conduct of the festival.
The UNESCO has adjudged Pooram as the "most spectacular festival event on the planet".
As people cutting across religions and politics protested against the restrictions imposed on the festival, state Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan withdrew an order issued by his department imposing curbs on elephant procession - a major attraction of the Pooram. The tradition was initiated 200 years ago by renowned King of Kochi kingdom, Sakthan Thampuran.

The Forest Department had yesterday issued notice to two major Devaswoms organising the Pooram imposingrestrictions on parading elephants.
The order stated that no elephants should be paraded during day time and a four-meter distance must be kept between elephants during the procession.
"There will be no such restrictions for this year's Pooram. We will ensure all necessary steps for a smooth conduct of the festival," Radhakrishnan said in Kottayam today as many rallied behind Thiruvampady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms in a protest dharna against the restrictions imposed on the festival.

Archbishop of Catholic Church in Thrissur, Mar Andrews Thazhathu, joined the protest being held at the gates of famous Vadakkumnatha Temple.

"What is Thrissur without pooram," he asked.
KPCC president V M Sudheeran, who hails from Thrissur
district, expressed hope that the Pooram will be held in accordance with its tradition.
Meanwhile, concerns are being raised whether a recent High Court order banninghigh decibel fireworks during night, another major attraction of the festival, would cast a shadow on the festivities this time.
Kerala High Court had on Tuesday banned the use of high-decibel fireworks in the night in the wake of the Puttingal Temple fire tragedy in Kollam.
"We will not take any risk. If there is no fireworks, we will have to abandon this national festival,"KManoharan, President of the Paramekkavu Devaswom, had said yesterday.

Manoharan, who has been part of the Pooram organising committee for the last five decades, said the two Devaswoms have decided to join a party in the case in the High Court today and apprise the judiciary about a Supreme Court order they received in favour of organising the festival in its traditional way.
The Devaswoms will move the High Court with their versions during its sitting this afternoon.
Fireworks display, procession of majestically caparisoned elephants and changing of sequined parasols are the major attractions of Pooram festival.
Thrissur is best known for its Pooram festival and is the most colourful and spectacular temple festivals of Kerala. Devotees and spectators from all parts of the state and outside throng the venue of the Pooram.

With the Kollam temple tragedy, which has so far claimed 114 lives and left over 300 injured, bringing to focus safety issues, the Thrissur district administration had on Monday imposed regulations including use of low decibel crackers.
The administration had decided to give sanction to two temple devaswoms (boards) to use a total of 4,000 kg low decibel fire crackers for the April 17 finale of Pooram festival.