Kerala High Court allows fireworks for Thrissur Pooram festival with conditions

The High Court made the ruling while observing that the Pooram celebrations were a part of the social and cultural ethos of Thrissur

By: Express Web Desk | Kollam | Thiruvananthapuram |
Updated: April 14, 2016 6:48:49 pm

"Processions from different temples converge at Vadakkunnathan Temple for the Thrissur Pooram, on Wednesday. PTI photo" *** Local Caption *** "B-77, TRICHUR-160401, APRIL 16, 2008: Trichur: Small Poorams coming to the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Trichur on Wednesday, from various places in connection with Thrissur Pooramon. PTI Photo *** Local Caption ***"

The Thrissur Pooram festival (PTI file photo)

The Kerala High Court today allowed low-decibel fireworks display during the ongoing Thrissur Pooram festival, exempting it from the ban imposed in the wake of Kollam Puttingal temple tragedy on Sunday that claimed 113 lives.

No unauthorised chemicals should be used in the fireworks and the sound level should not exceed 125 decibel, a division bench comprising Justices Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice Anu Sivaraman said in the order.

The High Court made the ruling while observing that the celebrations were a part of the social and cultural ethos of Thrissur.

https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/08/1x1.png

The bench was hearing a plea by the private Paramekkavu and Thirvambadi Devaswoms, which fund the annual Pooram festival in the premises of the famous Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, for permission to hold fireworks display. The festival is currently on and will culminate on Apr 18.

While sustained exposure to decibel level below 125 may result in hearing loss, after 125 it may cause pain.

Earlier today, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said his government is against complete ban on fireworks in the state.

“We cannot completely ban fireworks in state. Chemicals used in fireworks need to be checked, disastrous material shouldn’t be allowed,” said Chandy adding that his government will approach Kerala High Court to get relaxation the ban during Thrissur Pooram.

Kerala Government will not support complete ban of fireworks: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy pic.twitter.com/gXIEWCVuYa

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 14, 2016

The Thrissur Pooram main event, scheduled for April 17, is a mega spectacle comprising of caparisoned elephants, numerous temples and colourful fireworks.

The devaswom boards (temple management committees) in charge of Thrissur Pooram had threatened on Wednesday night to conduct the festival with bare rituals, after restrictions regarding parading of elephants and burning of firecrackers were placed on it. But the state government today jumped in promising that the festival will be conducted with complete traditions.

(With PTI inputs)