Kerala’s popular temple festival, Thrissur Pooram is scheduled to be held at the Vadakkumnathan temple on April 23, 2021. It is considered to be the mother of all temple festivals in Kerala and receives a large number of people from all across Kerala and India. Ahead of the celebrations, the District Medical Officer (DMO) of Thrissur Dr KJ Reena has stated that strict COVID-19 measures need to be followed during the festival. Due to the surge in COVID cases in Kerala, the state government has given the latest update on the festival on April 19. This year, the rituals of Thrissur Pooram will take place only with the participants and the public won’t be allowed. Media persons can cover the event for telecasting it live, only after producing COVID negative certificates.
Thrissur Pooram To Take Place In Kerala Following COVID Protocols
According to The News Minute report, the DMO said, “My stand is to conduct the festival by strictly following the protocol. I submitted the suggestion to the state health department in March. It was not just my own decision, but it was what the medical board had suggested.” She added, “Directions also have been given to the Devaswoms to follow the protocol.” In 2020, the festival had got canceled for the first time since its inception in the 18th century.
Thrissur Pooram is a 36-hour-long annual festival dating all the way back to the late 18th century. It was started by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of the erstwhile Kochi state. Each year, it attracts large crowds at the Thekkinkadu grounds. The festival is synonymous with a grand display of caparisoned elephants, parasols, and percussion music. One of the highlights of the festival is the kudamattom ceremony, which involves swift and rhythmic changes of vividly colored parasols.
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E-Pass Mandatory For All Travelling From Kerala
While the COVID negative certificate is not mandatory for people travelling from Kerala, carrying an e-pass is a must. The travel regulations will be strictly imposed on travellers from Palakkad and Thrissur districts in Kerala which share borders with the Coimbatore district. The e-pass is mandatory for everyone travelling on two-wheelers, autorickshaw as well as four-wheelers from Kerala to Coimbatore. Tamil Nadu Issues Fresh Travel Guidelines; Makes E-Pass Mandatory For Everyone.
People Travelling Without E-Pass Will Not Be Allowed To Enter Coimbatore
People who travel up to Walayar on KSRTC buses to enter Coimbatore district should also carry the e-pass. Out of Coimbatore’s 13 inter-state check posts, six are major check posts based at Walayar, Velanthavalam, Anaikatti, Anamalai, Valparai, and Pollachi. Authorities will check the e-pass at all the check posts and those without it will be sent back.
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People going to Kerala from Tamil Nadu for work must also carry the e-pass when they return to the State. The e-pass can be applied through this link.