Thrissur Pooram festival march controversy; Police wear boots and enter temple premises, violating traditions

“Kerala: Controversy march Thrissur Pooram festival; police wear boots and enter temple buildings, violating traditions”, Organizer, April 21, 2024:

“The famous Thrissur Pooram festival, hailed as the mother of all temple festivals in Kerala, suffered a significant setback in the early hours of April 20 as police intervention marred the age-old traditions and festivities. The festival, known for its vibrant celebrations and elaborate rituals, suffered a humiliating blow as police action disrupted the sanctity of the event.

Amid the colorful scenes and religious fervor, police officers breached the sacred space of the nalambalam, the circular area surrounding the shrine, by entering with their boots. The act, considered a blatant violation of temple traditions and in direct contradiction to a Supreme Court order, sparked outrage among devotees who witnessed the sanctity of the rituals being compromised.

The disruption caused by the police intervention not only affected the spiritual essence of the festival but also resulted in the cancellation of the nighttime festivities. The much-awaited fireworks display, a hallmark of the Thrissur Pooram, was postponed from its usual early morning time to 7.30 am, depriving thousands of spectators of the visual spectacle they had eagerly awaited….”

Read the full article on Organiser.org