Controversial tusker opens Thrissur Pooram; Thousands witness

Thousands of people gathered here Sunday to witness the grand opening of the famed Thrissur Pooram, considered as the mother of all temple festivals.

'Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran', the controversial elephant which was earlier denied permission to take part in the festivities by the authorities on health grounds, 'opened' the annual festival at the ancient Vadakkumnathan temple here.

Marking the ritual heralding of Pooram, Ramachandran, the tallest elephant of the state, pushed open the southern entrance of the shrine amidst thunderous cheers of the people gathered on the temple ground.

The Thrissur Pooram falls on May 13 this year.

The main event of the annual 'pooram' begins with the 10.5 foot tall elephant pushing open the gate of the temple, with the idol of 'neithilakkavilamma' atop it.

Police and temple authorities had a tough time in shifting the jumbo from the ground after the rituals, based on the strict instructions by the district authorities.

Among the ...