Devaswom Board says no ban on festival fireworks

Amid growing clamour for ban on temple fireworks display in Kerala in wake of Kollam temple tragedy, the temple body on Monday said it was not for a complete ban on such displays. Prayar Gopalakrishnan, President of TDB, said the board was against banning the pyrotechnics during temple festivals as they are part of rituals. “But it should be as per the restrictions of government and court orders with sufficient safety measures”, he told PTI. 

“In various temples fireworks display is part of temple rituals and we cannot ban it,” he said. The board has issued an urgent circular to all temples under it, directing that the fireworks display be carried out only in compliance with rules and regulations. Board member Ajay Tharayil, however, said he was in favour of a ‘total ban’ on major fireworks. 

Meanwhile, Prof M Kutty, President of the Thiruvambadi Devaswom, one of the organisers of the famous Thrissur Pooram to be held on April 17 said, “We will be conducting the festival, observing all legal formalities.” The fireworks festivities cannot be cancelled, he said, adding it was an age-old tradition. Meanwhile, at least 100 kg of explosive materials have been seized from a storehouse at nearby Attingal, police said.