No one can escape the excitement of the tigers as they march in step. On Monday, four days after Onam, Thrissur will roar before the world with its famed Pulikkali, or tiger dance. Preparations began Sunday morning at the Pulimadas (tiger dens), where colours were mixed and costumes readied. The day featured grooming shows and a tiger tail parade.

On Monday, preparations at the enclosures will begin at dawn, with parades expected to start around 4 or 5 pm. Crowds will flock to the Pulimada to watch the preparations, which are as thrilling as the performance itself. Currently, nine Pulikkali groups are ready to take part. Each will enter the Thrissur Swaraj Round by 4.30 pm, with up to 51 tigers in each team. The procession will feature tableaus and tiger wagons.

Spectators from across the state are expected. The Pulikkali will conclude with a closing ceremony at 10 pm, followed by prize distribution. The tiger dance marks the finale of Thrissur’s Onam celebrations.

Police on full alert

Police in Thrissur have completed preparations for the event. Visitors can watch safely from designated areas on the Thekkinkaadu Maidan and pavements. Climbing on unsafe buildings or trees has been banned.

Those travelling into the city have been asked to park vehicles in secure grounds rather than along roadsides. For traffic and law enforcement, officers will be deployed across key junctions under the supervision of the Thrissur police assistant commissioner. Measures include foot patrols, two-wheeler and jeep patrols to reduce congestion.

Police mufti officers and shadow police have been deployed to curb offences against women and children in the crowd. CCTV surveillance has been installed across major gathering points, including Thekkinkadu Maidan, bus stands and railway stations.

Tiger enthusiasm builds

On Sunday, the Pulimadas were buzzing with activity. Artists prepared paints throughout the day, mixing white, black and yellow before red and brown. Each colour required four to five litres. Teams of eight to ten worked on painting, while crowds gathered to witness the tigers take shape.

The Pulikkali will begin Monday morning and continue until 10 pm, keeping the city alive with rhythm and colour.

Metallic Tigers debut

The Viyyur Youth Group is preparing metallic tigers for the first time, using blue, green and violet paints. Organisers say the metallic finish will make the tigers shimmer. Last year’s innovations, such as clawed shoes, gloves and tails, are being expanded this year, with all 51 tigers in the group set to feature tails.

Umbrella-wielding tigers

The Ayyanthole group will perform with transparent umbrellas painted with tiger faces. Fifty-one tigers will raise them simultaneously during the parade, though they will not be used in marked zones. A new "Pulippatta"(tiger belt) has also been introduced to prevent injuries from tying the waist belt adorned with bells in costumes.

The group will feature baby tigers and father-son pairs. Eye tests were arranged for participants on Sunday, and Onam sadhya kits were distributed. Their drawing begins at 5.30 a.m. Monday, with tigers released from shelters by 2 pm.

Digital tiger cart

Sitaram Mill Lane Desam will unveil the first-ever 3D digital tiger cart, inspired by the film 'Avatar'. Visuals were created by artist Prasad with their arrangement by Maneesh Kumar, and digital production by Oscar Events. The editing was handled by Akhil Prakash, who has worked on Malayalam and Tamil films. Organisers promise a new sound-and-visual experience.

International audience

For the first time, a delegation from 11 countries will attend Thrissur’s Pulikkali. Hosted by the Kerala Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission Society and Srijeevam Responsible Tourism Mission Club, the delegation includes tourism leaders, academics and operators from the UK, France, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Romania and various Indian states. They will learn about the Pulikkali’s art, steps and rhythm, and interact with performers. The group will also visit Sitaram Mill Lane Desam.

Pulivazhi parade

The Pulikalli will officially begin at 4.30 pm Monday, when Veliyannur Desam Sangam is flagged off by district ministers and MLAs at the South Tower of the Swaraj Round. Mayor MK Varghese will preside.

The procession will see Kuttankulangara Desam enter via Bini Junction; Yuvajanasangham Viyyur near Kalyan Jewellers; Sankarankulangara, Ayyanthol, Chakkamukku and Sitaram Mill Desam via Naikkanal Junction; and Naikkanal Desam and Patturaikkal Desam into the Swaraj Round.