Kochi: Thiruvambadi Temple administration has expressed doubt over holding Thrissur Pooram in the backdrop of Kerala High High Court coming down heavily on commercial exploitation of elephants during temple festivals, media reports said.
Temple administration Secretary K Girish Kumar said the group led by Thiruvambadi alone would require 150 elephants for the 36 hour long festival which is a competition between two groups of temples headed by Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples as an offering before the presiding deity Lord Shiva at Vadakkumnathan Temple.
He said the temple administration will implead in the case.
He said the court ruling would cause hurdles in holding two major events Madathil varavu and Thekkottirakku during the festival.
The court noted with concern that captive elephants are often treated as mere “tradeable commodities,” with owners focusing on profit rather than animal welfare.
The court said 160 of the 509 elephants recorded in 2018 having died between 2018 and 2024.
An updated list from the forest department in August reveals that 388 elephants are still in captivity, with 349 owned by private individuals.
The court pointed out inconsistencies in ownership documents, with many elephants lacking proper certification. The court directed the government to verify the legality of such possessions.
Pooram doubtful: Temple
