KOLLAM: Following the high-octane election season, Kollam city is gearing up for another grand celebration. The historic Kollam Pooram, held as part of the festival at the Ashramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, will take place on Thursday evening. The main highlight of the event, the Kudamattam (exchange of colorful parasols), will feature a face-off between the processions of Thamarakulam Maha Ganapathy and Puthukkavu Bhagavathy at the Ashramam Ground.
A total of 11 elephants will line up on each side for the ceremony, accompanied by 15 sets of unique and competitive parasols. Both organizing groups have kept the special designs and surprises of this year’s umbrellas a closely guarded secret. Adding to the grandeur, around 140 percussionists, including veteran masters, will lead the traditional Melam. The famous elephant Thrikkadavur Shivaraju has been chosen to carry the sacred idol (Thidambu) of the Ashramam Temple.
State Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal will inaugurate the cultural convention associated with the Pooram. The event will be presided over by Pooram Committee Vice Chairman Adv. Vijayachandran, with Minister J. Chinchu Rani in attendance. The festivities will begin in the morning with the arrival of Cherupoorams (small processions) from 13 different local temples. Following the elephant bath and feeding ceremony at noon, a Thirumumbil Melam led by Kadavur Akhil and team will be performed before the lowering of the festival flag. The police department has implemented strict security measures to ensure a safe and smooth celebration for the thousands expected to attend.
With input from KN.
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