Overview
- The festival went ahead Sunday at the Vadakkunnatha Temple grounds in Thrissur without the traditional fireworks and with a shorter Kudamattam umbrella display.
- Kerala’s government and the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temple boards agreed to the changes, trimming Kudamattam to about 15–20 minutes and using fewer umbrella sets.
- The shift followed an April 21 explosion at a Mundathikode firecracker unit that supplied Thiruvambadi, which killed at least 15 people, with some reports putting the toll higher.
- Authorities announced relief for victims, with Kerala offering Rs 14 lakh to each bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured, and the Prime Minister’s fund adding Rs 2 lakh and Rs 50,000 respectively.
- Crowds still turned out, though the mood was subdued, and core rituals and percussion ensembles continued as Kudamattam—an umbrella exchange atop caparisoned elephants—replaced the usual late-night fireworks contest.