Amit Shah greets people of Kerala on Thrissur Pooram festival; "Visual extravaganza," says Union Minister Suresh Gopi

Thrissur (Kerala) [India], May 6 (ANI): Thrissur BJP MP and Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Tuesday termed Thrissur Pooram, which is underway in Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple here, a "visual extravaganza".
"This is a visual extravaganza--the first and only one of its kind," Gopi, the Lok Sabha MP from Thrissur told ANI as he visited the Pooram venue. "It is a universal celebration. Celebration of colours, celebration of the might of the people of Thrissur, which they present to the world," he said.
Meanwhile Union Minister Amit Shah today extended his to the people of Kerala on the occasion. " Greetings to our sisters and brothers of Kerala on the occasion of Thrissur Pooram. The festival once initiated by the great Sakthan Thampuran displays the symphony of colours and rituals of our culture, and the ancient spirit of our unity marks the magnificence of our heritage."
The Pooram, known as the mother of all 'Poorams', officially kicked off on the night of May 5 with the diety Neythalakavilamma making her majestic entry, escorted with devotion and ceremony to open theThekke Gopura Nada of the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple.
Thrissur Collector Arjun Pandian told ANI that around 18 to 20 lakh people are expected to participate in the Pooram, adding that additional security arrangements are put in place in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
"We have made all the arrangements for this. We are expecting around 18 to 20 lakh people to visit and witness Pooram. More than 4,000 police personnel are deployed. And in light of the Pahalgam incident, we have deployed urban commandos and the anti-drone system," he said.
The acclaimed 36-hour-long annual Thrissur Pooram festival kicked off with fast beats from percussion instruments, conches blowing, and devotees thronging the temple's Thekkinkadu Maidan.

Processions of elephants carrying deities of two principal temples -- Paramekkavu Bhagavathy temple and Thiruvambady Sree Krishna temple -- and eight other smaller temples located within a few kilometres of the main Thrissur town. They converge at the Sree Vadukkumnathan Temple to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva.
Each deity participating in Thrissur Pooram has a distinct role and responsibility. Neythalakavilamma's duty is to prepare the way for Kanimangalam Shasta's early morning arrival on Pooram day, symbolically opening the South Gopuram for his entry.
The festival, which is celebrated on the day of 'Pooram' as per the Malayalam calendar month of Medam, is popularly known for its parading of elephants, Panchavadyam (percussion ensemble), and mega display of fireworks.
The festival attracts huge crowds from across Kerala and other states.
On the Pooram day, the festivities begin with the ceremonial entrance of 'Kanimangalam Sastha through the southern gopuram, and it is followed by the arrival of Panamukkampilly Sathavu, Chembookavu Karthiayani Devi, Karamukku Karthiyani Devi, Choorakkottukavu Durga Devi, Ayyanthole Karthiayani Devi, and Naithalakavu Bhagavathi.
Fireworks conducted as part of the celebration is one of the many attractions of the festivity. Though the Pooram happens in the summer month, people brave the scorching heat to be part of the celebration. (ANI)