“Kerala: Controversy mars Thrissur Pooram festival; police wear boots and enter temple premises, violating traditions”, Organiser, April 21, 2024:
“The renowned Thrissur Pooram festival hailed as the mother of all temple festivals in Kerala, faced a significant setback in the early hours of April 20, as police intervention marred the centuries-old traditions and festivities. The festival, known for its vibrant celebrations and elaborate rituals, suffered a humiliating blow as police actions disrupted the sanctity of the event.
Amidst the colourful scenes and religious fervour, police officers breached the sacred space of the nalambalam, the circular area surrounding the shrine, by entering with their boots on. This act, considered a blatant violation of temple traditions and a direct contradiction to a High Court order, sparked outrage among devotees who witnessed the sanctity of the rituals being compromised.
The disruption caused by the police intervention not only tarnished the spiritual essence of the festival but also resulted in the halting of night festivities. The highly anticipated fireworks display, a hallmark of the Thrissur Pooram, was delayed from its usual early morning slot to 7:30 am, robbing thousands of spectators of the visual spectacle they had eagerly awaited…..”
Read the full article at Organiser.org
