Kollam fire likely to cast shadow over Thrissur Pooram festivities

Kochi: The fire tragedy at the Puttingal Devi Complex in Kollam district is likely to cast a shadow over Kerala's famous Thrissur Pooram festival in which display of fireworks is a major attraction.

The Thrissur District Administration will hold a meeting of all stakeholders including office-bearers of famous Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi Devaswoms, the major players in the festival, to discuss safety measures to be taken to ensure a safe Pooram festival, commencing on Monday.

The grand finale to the week-long Pooram festival in Thrissur is marked by display of fireworks. This year's Pooram festival will culminate on April 17.

While district administration could give sanction only to use a limted amount of crackers and pyrotechnic materials for the fireworks, it is estimated that at least 8000 kg of such materials are used for the Pooram fireworks.

"All this issues are likely to figure in Monday's meeting," an official, speaking on the condition of anonymity said. In its website, the Thrissur Pooram Co-ordination Committee, which is formed to conduct the Pooram in a befitting manner, said the traditional sample fireworks will be displayed at the maidan of the famous Vadakunnathan Temple on April 15.

"This is the curtain raiser to the real display of pyrotechnics of the pooram. Started as a sample testing of the fireworks for alternation/modification, it has turned to an event attracting very huge crowd," it says.

A top official of the Paramekkavu Devaswom claimed that Thrissur Pooram fireworks are displayed after taking all safety measures and as per measures laid down in the law. "We ensure proper safety and security before organising such events.

So far no untoward incidents have occurred in Thrissur," K Manoharan, president of the Paramekkavu Devaswom said. The district administration will hold a meeting on Monday to discuss preparations for the festival.

One hundred people were killed and 383 injured in a major fire that engulfed the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi Temple complex in Kollam district during the display of fireworks, for which no permission had been granted by authorities.