Category Archive

Kochi, May 5

Taking in to count the increasing cases of elephant fury in the state, Zachariah Mathew MD of Mumbai based Senzo Engineering has come up with a new device to rein jumbos. This innovative device is in the form of a nylon belt which has a remote control that can lock the legs of the elephant by the press of a button.

It is known that elephant getting violent is not an unusual scene for people of Kerala. This elephant fury has claimed many lives and huge loss of property so far. To make sure this series of elephant violence doesn’t continues so widely, Zachariah Mathew invented this unique device. The device will be placed at two sides of the elephant, with one of its legs connected to a belt. In case of animal turning violent the mammoth can activate the device with the help of the remote control.

As the remote is triggered the belt gets tightened around the legs of the elephant making it unable to move ahead. This visionary gadget can be operated from a distance of about 75 feet from the elephant. The new founding is still waiting for the day when it finally gets tested on the real jumbos.

Kochi, April 24

Kerala the heavenly abode has fascinated all with its varied attraction from its past. This spiritual land showcases an array of rich traditions and customs in its variety of temple festivals. These temple festivities have kept this cultural state always buzzing with festivity and celebrations. One can’t even think of a temple festival without the inclusion of elephants, these jumbos have always been a part of all the celebration in Kerala. But its also fair to say that these elephants have also claimed many lives and loss of property in many occasions in recent past.

In one of such gruesome event three people lost their lives when an elephant ran amok during the annual temple festival of Irinjalakkuda Koodalmanikyam temple in Thrissur district of Kerala. This horrifying incident occurred on the fifth day of the festivity while the tusker Tiruvalla Unnikrishnan was taken out after the ‘siveli’. The reason for the elephant turning violent has not been yet confirmed but rumours are that, someone tried to grab the trunk of the jumbo which made the tusker turn violent.

It was nothing new for the keralites as such scenes have become frequent sights for people of Kerala during these festivals. Prior to this tragic incident many a times such incidents have occurred in which people were killed by the tuskers. In order to provide some relief to the victims family the temple devaswom announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the dependants of the deceased.

Kochi, April 17

The biggest temple festival of Kerala ‘Thrissur Pooram’ started off with a bang yesterday. The city was brimming with festivity and huge numbers of spectators congregated to witness this traditional fest. It all began with the procession from various temples which has its own traditional importance.

The main attraction in the procession was the brigade of caparisoned tuskers heading the procession from the front. The traditional ceremony like Madathil Varau and Kudamattom were much liked by the spectators. As the colourful umbrellas unfurled the spectators started waving and shouting with joy. This traditional ceremony of Kudamattom is one of the most attractive and essential part of Thrissur Pooram. Umbrellas of different shapes and sizes are unfurled in this ritual which is a great sight to watch.

Earlier the Panchavadyam and Ilanjithara Melam started at 11:30am which filled the atmosphere with the rhythm of chenda and clarinets. The pooram ground was filled to its maximum with huge number of spectators assembling from all over the country. Along with the locals many foreign tourists also have come to witness this grand festivity.

Like every year the main attraction of the festival remained with the highly decorated elephants, but after the directive of the high court this year these tuskers were made to stand on wet jute bags at the venues. It was also known that to make sure tight security arrangements at the venue about 2400 policemen were deployed keeping a check on the crowd.

The much hyped firework display began at 3am today with variety of sparkling and noisy fireworks, taking the crowd on their feet. This massive firework showcased a variety of colourful and dazzling display of fireworks lighting sky with sparkles. The pooram will wind up today afternoon with the traditional Pakal Pooram.

Kochi, April 11

Vishu the festival signifying the beginning of a New Year for Malayalees is all set to add its colours to the city. With only two days to go the city has geared up to embrace this festival with fervour. As it is well known that Vishu has is a unique festival for all malayalees not only in Kerala but also through out the globe. The most customary ritual on the occasion of Vishu is the Vishukani (first sight) it is believed that good things seen on the New Year day brings good luck for the whole year.

Amidst all this festivity the city streets are running busy with people shopping for the festival. It is tradition that people use to wear new clothes welcoming the new year and elders use to buys gifts for family members. One more essential feature of Vishu is the traditional Vishu Kaineetam, its generally given in the form of small cash or gifts which elders give to the children as blessing.

This year the soaring price rise has broken the back bone of common man, but still the city shops are running busy with shoppers buying for the special day. From jewellery shops to garment shops and cracker shops all are having a great business this festival season.

Radha Krishnan a house wife says, Vishu is one of the festivals which all Keralites awaits for the whole year. During this festival the whole family unites and marks the new year with joy and warmth. On being asked whether the growing inflation would have an effect to this year’s Vishu, she replied “With such a rise of prices of necessary commodities like vegetables and household stocks it will be a bit tough to manage the budget for house wives like us. But still it won’t affect the festivity and people will celebrate Vishu in the same way they use to before. Radha further said the not miss part of this festivity is the grand sadya (feast) which the whole family enjoys together.

Well it seems kochites are all set to celebrate Vishu with a bang, and the city is buzzing with the Vishu fever these days.

Kochi, March 28

The world renowned temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram this year will not be so grand and vibrant as it has been since its past. This colourful temple festival is known to be one of the most traditional and famous festivals in this God’s Own Country. The main charm of the festival has always been the brigade of caparisoned elephants which will not take part in the festivity this year.

This shocking decision came out after the Kerala High court ordered a ban over the parading of elephants during ‘Thrissur Pooram’. It was learnt that one of the animal right group appealed for a ban of parading the elephant after the tragic incident of jumbo running amok occurred during the festival last year. Acting to this plea the court ordered a ban, shattering all preparations with only 20 day to go for the festival.

Thrissur Pooram has gained a huge recognition as an elephant festival with the tradition of so many caparisoned elephants as part of the festivity. The court also upheld the earlier ban on parading elephants between 1100 hrs and 1400 hrs (IST) during the festival. The main attraction of Thrissur pooram has been its beautifully decorated elephants, which attracted huge numbers of spectators. But this announcement came as a shocker for the devaswom authorities who think it will ruin the whole traditions of the festivals at large.

It was also known that the festival authorities are now seeking intervention from the government in this regard. But it seems that Thrissur Pooram is slowly loosing its colour, earlier it was the ban on high-intensity crackers and now it’s the jumbos turn. So all these factors are some how making the festivity a bit dull.