Kerala Bars Entry Of Devotees At Thrissur Pooram As State Fights Surge

The state had earlier given permission for the Pooram to be held this year on April 23 with public gathering, saying Covid negative certificates will be mandatory for those attending it.

Kerala has decided to prohibit the public from attending the Thrissur Pooram - the famous temple festival held on the grounds of Vadakkunathan temple in Thrissur - 24 hours after state Health Minister KK Shailaja told NDTV that the festival will be held as planned. The state government had earlier given permission for the Pooram to be held this year on April 23 with public gathering, saying Covid negative certificates will be mandatory for those attending. However, this year Thrissur Pooram will be held as a ritual with only organisers and affiliated key people in attendance and they will be screened online. Even in 2020, the public was not allowed to attend the festival due to the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the virus. Usually, lakhs of devotees attend this temple festival in Thrissur.