Thrissur: The sample fireworks display ahead of Thrissur Pooram will take place on Sunday evening. The traditional display of decorative parasols (chamayam) by the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms will also begin the same day. The sample fireworks will be ignited at around 7 pm, while the chamayam exhibitions will be inaugurated in the morning. The southern gopuram (gateway) of the Vadakkunnathan Temple will be opened on Monday to mark the ceremonial prelude to Pooram. The main Pooram celebration will be held on Tuesday.

Thiruvambady Devaswom will light the first round of sample fireworks, followed by Paramekkavu’s display.

The Paramekkavu chamayam exhibition will be inaugurated at 9 am at the Devaswom Agrashala, while Thiruvambady's will be inaugurated at 10 am at the Kousthubham Auditorium. Union Minister Suresh Gopi, state ministers K Rajan and R Bindu, Mayor M K Varghese and MLA P Balachandran are expected to attend both events. The exhibitions will be open until 10 pm on Sunday and until midnight on Monday.

Traffic restrictions will be in place across the city from 3.30 pm on Sunday. Private vehicles will only be allowed up to the city’s outer ring. Restrictions will apply to buses as well.

No barricades at night, fireworks viewing allowed from the round

A meeting held on Saturday under the leadership of ministers and senior officials resolved two of the major issues that disrupted last year’s Thrissur Pooram celebrations.

The key decision was not to place barricades during the night processions of the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Poorams. The barricading, which even restricted organisers last year, had sparked controversy. Another major decision is to allow the public to watch the fireworks from the Swaraj Round. Last year, many who waited for hours were unable to view the fireworks, leading to widespread protests. These issues had hugely disrupted last year’s festivities, triggering political criticism.

The meeting was attended by Ministers V N Vasavan, K Rajan and R Bindu, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, District Collector Arjun Pandian, City Police Commissioner R Ilango, Mayor M K Varghese and Cochin Devaswom Board president K Ravindran.