Festivities of Thrissur Pooram, a mega spectacle involving a large number of caparisoned elephants, numerous temples and giant colourful fireworks, began here on Saturday with the ceremonial ‘kodiyettam’ (flag hoisting) of the participating temples. Kodiyettam was held at the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples, the main participants of the Pooram, by noon.
While kodiyettam of Thiruvambadi was held around 11.45 a.m., the flag at Paramekkavu was hoisted at 12.25 p.m. Festival flags were hoisted at pandals too.
The Paramekkavu kodiyettam was held without much celebrations as a protest against denial of permission for the fireworks after the flag-hoisting ceremony. Only one elephant participated for the parading. Percussion ensembles led by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar followed.
The kodiyettam was held at the participating temples, including the Lalur, Ayyathole Karthyayani, Kanimangalam, Karumukku, Panamukkumpilly, Chembookkavu, Choorakkottukavu and Naithalakkavu temples.
