Kerala’s Tallest Elephant Flags Off Thrissur Pooram Festival

According to reports, the tusker was brought to the temple at around 10 am.

Thechikottukavu Ramachandran opening the southern entrance of Vadakkumnathan temple.

(Photo Courtesy: ANI)

Fifty-four year old elephant, Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, participated in the Thrissur Pooram festival after doctors cleared it following medical tests, reported ANI.

A ban had been imposed on the elephant after it had killed two people during an event in Guruvayur earlier this year.

According to News18, the tusker was brought to the Vadakkumnathan temple in Thrissur at around 10:30 am, after which he flagged of the festivities by symbolically pushing open the southern entrance of the temple.

But he was called back within an hour, on the orders of Thrissur District Collector TV Anupama, much to the disappointment of the visitors.

Ending four days of uncertainty, Kerala's tallest elephant was finally given a conditional nod to participate in the famed festival on Saturday, PTI reported.

The clearance to the government was given after a team of three veterinarians conducted the medical examination of the 54-year-old elephant.

The team had also submitted a report to the Thrissur collector T V Anupama stating that the elephant was fit to participate in the “vilambaram” ritual as part of ‘pooram’.

Permission Comes with Restrictions

The main event of the 'pooram' begins with the 10.5-foot tall elephant pushing open the southern entrance gate of the ancient Vadakkumnathan temple here, with the idol of 'neithilakkavilamma' atop it, symbolising the start of the festivities.

Kerala’s tallest elephant ‘Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran’. (Photo: Facebook)

Among the restrictions imposed on the use of the elephant were: It can take part in the ritual only for an hour from 9.30 am; four mahouts should escort the animal and barricades should be constructed on a 10-metre radius to prevent people from getting closer to the jumbo.

Since 2014, the elephant has been been performing the ritual and has a big fan following in the state. However, after two persons were killed by the animal during a house-warming celebration in Guruvayur in February this year, the district administration had imposed a ban on its participation in festivals.

Elephant Owners Association Pressure Resulted in New Decision

As doubts were raised about the elephant being allowed to take part in the ritual, the elephant owners association had threatened not to provide any elephant for the 'pooram' festival.

The association has now withdrawn its threat and expressed willingness to provide elephants for the 'pooram'. Animal welfare board member M N Jayachandran, who was part of the high-powered committee headed by district collector, said he was against the animal being allowed to participate in the ritual.

"I have given my note of dissent to the collector and this was not a unanimous decision," he told a television channel.

The jumbo, which is partially blind in the right eye, is said to have killed 13 persons, besides two elephants.

The annual 'pooram' festival, considered as the mother of all temple festivals in the state, is known for its colourful fireworks extravaganza and display of caparisoned elephants. The festival falls on 13 May this year.

After the Kerala High Court on Friday refused to intervene in the matter, the state government had sought legal opinion from Additional Advocate General Renjith Thampan on the matter. He had advised the government that the tusker can be permitted for participating only in 'pooram' festival with certain restrictions.

The AAG told the government that people should be kept away from the jumbo during its parade and steps should be taken to avoid any sort of danger to the people. If any untoward incident occurred, the elephant owners should take its responsibility.

What is Pooram?

Meanwhile, Thrissur, the state's cultural capital, is under a thick security cover with 3,500 policemen being deputed on duty till 14 May. Senior police officials said no carry bags would be allowed and bomb and dog squads would be deployed during the festival. People staying in lodges and hotels would be under surveillance.

(With inputs from ANI, News18 and PTI)