The temple trusts of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms have petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the restrictions imposed by the Kerala High Court on elephant management in Thrissur Pooram.
Billed as the “mother of all festivals” in Kerala, the Thrissur Pooram was started by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of the erstwhile Kochi state, in the late 18th century.
The most keenly watched event of the Pooram festivities is the elephant parade — of more than 50 jumbos, besides the firecracker displays, that starts in the afternoon and continues till the early hours of the next day.
The special leave petition filed before the apex court said that the Kerala HC erred in issuing directions for festival-specific matters without any violation of the Central statute such as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 or the 2012 Rules.
It added that judicial interference was warranted only in the absence of a …