As Kerala prepares for the grand convergence of nearly 10 temples, tradition, and spectacle at the Thekkinkadu Maidanam in Thrissur, the focus this year is not just on the elephants, percussion, or fireworks – but on ensuring that the event unfolds without political interference or controversy.
Published May 05, 2025 | 5:14 PM ⚊ Updated May 05, 2025 | 5:14 PM
Kerala is holding its breath as the clock ticks down to the majestic Thrissur Pooram, a festival that has become a vibrant expression of culture, community, and timeless tradition.
Synopsis: The Kerala government has sought to ensure this year’s Thrissur Pooram will be free from political interference, following last year’s disruptions that sparked public anger and controversy. Tighter safety rules, better planning and coordination with temple boards aim to restore trust in the centuries-old festival.
Thrissur Pooram, Kerala’s most iconic temple festival, returns amid high anticipation – and heightened vigilance.
As the state prepares for the grand convergence of nearly ten temples, tradition, and spectacle at the Thekkinkadu Maidanam in Thrissur, the focus this year is not just on the elephants, percussion, or fireworks – but on ensuring that the event unfolds without political interference or controversy.
Conceived in the 18th century by Sakthan Thampuran, the then ruler of Cochin, the festival was designed to bring together competing temples in a singular expression of unity and inclusivity.
That vision continues today under the stewardship of the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Devaswoms, whose coordination brings lakhs of devotees to the heart of Thrissur each year for a display of spiritual and cultural splendour.
Thrissur Pooram remains, for Keralites, an unshakable cultural heartbeat untouched by political tensions.
Caparisoned elephants line up beneath vibrant parasols, traditional percussion ensembles electrify the crowds, and the skies are lit until dawn with fireworks – a spectacle that has come to symbolise Kerala’s collective cultural pride.
Often described as the “mother of all temple festivals” in the state, Pooram has historically remained untouched by overt political influence.
But that perception was shaken in 2024, when disruptions, administrative confusion, and allegations of political sabotage turned what should have been a celebration into a source of state-wide controversy.
Last year’s Pooram, held on 19 April 2024, was marred by unprecedented disruptions, primarily due to excessive police interventions.
The police, under the command of Thrissur City Police Commissioner Ankit Asokan and overseen by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) MR Ajith Kumar, imposed stringent crowd control measures.
Barricades were set up around Swaraj Round, restricting public access to key rituals such as the ezhunnallathu (elephant procession) and vedikettu (fireworks display).
These measures were justified as safety precautions under the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) Act, implemented following the 2016 Puttingal fireworks tragedy.
On the day of Pooram, as lakhs gathered at the iconic Thekkinkadu Maidanam to witness the grand Madathil Varavu procession led by Thiruvambady Devaswom, police barricades halted the route at Naduvilal.
However, spectators and Devaswom officials criticised the restrictions as excessive, claiming they hindered movement and disrupted traditional rituals.
Thekkinkadu Maidan
Panchavadyam (five-instrument percussion) artists halted their performance midway in protest, and the elephant bearing the idol was turned back – an unprecedented scene in the centuries-old festival’s history.
Meanwhile, in response to the police’s actions, the Thiruvambady Devaswom halted several rituals, including the panchavadyam and night ezhunnallathu, as a mark of protest.
They switched off illuminations at their pandals and conducted the ezhunnallathu with only one elephant instead of the usual seven.
The Devaswom alleged that the police obstructed essential festival activities, such as the movement of palm leaves for elephants and decorative umbrellas for the kudamattam.
For the first time in the festival’s history, the iconic fireworks display, typically a nighttime highlight, was postponed to 6.45 am on 20 April due to the ongoing standoff.
The decision disappointed thousands of Pooram devotees who had gathered expecting the traditional spectacle.
These disruptions sparked widespread controversy, dampened the festive spirit, and triggered a political storm in Kerala.
“The pain still lingers in our hearts. That is why, this year, we chose to celebrate Pooram free from any political influence. It is our responsibility to safeguard our cultural heritage,” said a committee member from Thiruvambady Devaswom to South First.
The timing of the disruption, just a week before the Lok Sabha elections on 26 April, fuelled allegations of political manipulation.
Senior Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and former minister VS Sunil Kumar, who lost the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat, called the events a “deliberate act that helped the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] consolidate Hindu votes”.
Suresh Gopi, was seen arriving at the Pooram venue in an ambulance
The Thrissur constituency was a high-stakes battleground, with Kumar, BJP candidate Suresh Gopi, and United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate K Muraleedharan competing.
Gopi won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 74,000 votes, defeating Kumar and Muraleedharan, marking the BJP’s first-ever Lok Sabha victory in Kerala.
Opposition parties attributed his success to the Pooram disruption, claiming it swayed Hindu voters by creating resentment against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
Kumar claimed the police’s actions created anti-government sentiment, which helped Suresh Gopi, who arrived at the Pooram venue in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Seva Bharathi ambulance, projecting a “heroic” image.
“Before the next Pooram, people deserve to know whether the festival was politically used. It is evident the NDA [National Democratic Alliance] candidate’s victory was linked to what happened at Pooram,” he told media on 24 September 2024.
Five months after the Pooram, under mounting criticism and an RTI expose, ADGP Ajith Kumar submitted his a 1,600-page report of his inquiry on September 23 2024, ruling out sabotage.
The ADGP blamed the chaos on the “inexperience” of then Thrissur City Police Commissioner Ankit Asokan, who was later suspended and transferred.
Former Thrissur City Police Commissioner Ankit Asokan was suspended and later transferred following a controversy linked to the Thrissur Pooram festival.
The CPI rejected Ajith Kumar’s report and demanded an independent investigation. The Special Investigation Team is now expected to question him further. Minister K Rajan, who had testified earlier, stood by his claims that police mistreated devotees and mahouts.
Further controversy arose when Congress leaders and former LDF Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) PV Anwar alleged that ADGP Ajith Kumar had held meetings in 2023 with top RSS leaders, including General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale.
Anwar accused him of acting as an “agent” of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in arranging the meetings, which the Chief Minister denied. The State Police Chief has since ordered a fresh probe.
In a bid to restore public trust and uphold the sanctity of Thrissur Pooram, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a high-level meeting on 1 March 2025 to ensure the smooth and apolitical conduct of this year’s celebrations.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Ministers K Rajan, VN Vasavan, R Bindu, the CS Sharadha Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Bishwanath Sinha, Principal Secretary (Revenue) Tinku Biswal, State Police Chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, and other senior officials.
The government laid out a comprehensive action plan.
The Cochin Devaswom Board was directed to resolve the ongoing Vadakkunnathan Temple ground rent dispute and update the High Court, while the Forest Department was instructed to expedite elephant ownership certifications in accordance with the Supreme Court’s 2018 directives.
The Chief Minister emphasised strict adherence to court rulings and safety protocols governing fireworks and elephant processions.
He also called for heightened medical preparedness, including mock drills at fireworks sites, hospital readiness, and fire safety inspections.
The District Vigilance Committee was tasked with overseeing sanitation, road repairs, food and hotel hygiene, and the functioning of public infrastructure such as street lighting.
Ministers unanimously agreed that the festival must be insulated from political influence.
Speaking to South First, Minister Vasavan stressed that the event must remain free from political symbols or party flags, adding that the police have been instructed to act firmly against such activities. He noted that similar incidents have occurred at other temple festivals.
Suresh Gopi, supported Vasavan’s stance, saying it promotes inclusivity, but added that traditional and ritualistic rights should not be affected.
“We will celebrate the Pooram together in all its excitement,” he told reporters.
With the festival imminent, district authorities are completing final inspections.
District Collector Arjun Pandian and City Police Commissioner R Ilango visited the Thekkinkadu Maidanam on 2 May, to assess readiness.
Security arrangements include drone surveillance, verification of access passes, and heightened vigilance in view of recent incidents such as the Pahalgam attack.
Chamaya Pradarshanam
The Suchitwa Mission is overseeing waste management, with bottle booths, bins, and e-toilets installed across the venue. Traffic regulation, food safety, and emergency response measures have also been activated.
Representatives of the Thiruvambady Devaswom Board met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ahead of the Chamaya Pradarshanam, signalling the final phase of preparations for this year’s Pooram.
Board President Sundar Menon told South First that all arrangements are in place and that the government has promised full cooperation to ensure a smooth and vibrant celebration.
In a gesture celebrating communal unity, the Thiruvambady group unveiled their traditional ornament display, inaugurated by Thrissur Archdiocese Metropolitan Mar Andrews Thazhath, Swami Sadbhavananda, and Imam Saifuddin Al Qasimi.
A committee member from the Paramekkavu Devaswom also told South First that the Pooram would be celebrated with its full spiritual and cultural richness. Meticulous arrangements have been made to ensure safety and convenience for everyone attending.
These include wristbands for children with their names and parents’ contact details, a dedicated medical team led by the District Medical Officer, 61 ambulances cleared for emergency support, drone surveillance for crowd and security management, e-toilets at key locations, and stringent safety measures for both the elephants and firework units.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
