Thrissur Pooram Set To Kick Off With Sample Fireworks Tonight: No Barricades At Swaraj Round This Year

Thrissur, Kerala: The countdown to the grandest temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram, has begun, and it will start with a bang this evening.

The sample fireworks display will light up the skies around 7 PM on Sunday, giving people a taste of the explosive splendour to come.

The first round of sample fireworks will be ignited by Thiruvambady Devaswom, followed by a dazzling display from Paramekkavu Devaswom tonight.

In a notable change this year, authorities have decided not to place barricades at Swaraj Round, allowing free and open public viewing of the fireworks and festivities.

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Alongside the pyrotechnic preview, the famous chamayam (decorative parasol display) by Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms will also begin today.

These stunning parasols, exchanged in a friendly rivalry atop caparisoned elephants, are a visual spectacle that draws thousands every year.

Traffic curbs will be in effect across Thrissur city from 3:30 PM onwards to manage the crowd flow, and private vehicles will be restricted from entering core areas to ensure safety and smooth passage of the pooram processions.

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A key decision taken at a high-level review meeting — attended by Ministers VN Vasavan, K Rajan, R Bindu, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, District Collector Arjun Pandiyan, Police Commissioner R Ilango and other top officials- was to avoid barricading the public during the night processions of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady.

The main Pooram celebrations are set for May 6th, Tuesday, with the iconic display of 30 richly decorated elephants — 15 from each temple, facing off amid a sea of enthusiastic onlookers.

Adding to the grandeur is the venchamaram, the white yak-hair fan that offers a graceful contrast to the vibrant colours of umbrellas and caparisons.

One of the key artisans behind this elegance is Muraleedharan C, a retired professor from Kuttimuck, who has been crafting venchamaram for over 50 years.

The majestic southern gopuram of the Vadakkunnathan Temple will be ceremonially opened on Monday, heralding the traditional commencement of the Thrissur Pooram celebrations, and the grand Thrissur Pooram will take place on Tuesday.