Kerala Legislative candidates take a vacation from their campaign trail to attend Thrissur Pooram

For a day, the candidates of all three fronts forgot about the election and campaign and joined the people celebrating the festival, including the citizens of the cultural capital. The masses had gathered at the Thekkinkadu Maidan from all over the state.

Thrissur’s festival goers are used to seeing LDF candidate V S Sunilkumar since he never passes up the opportunity to mingle with the audience. “You must attend the related rituals and Thrissur Pooram. This is the ideal time of year to catch up with loved ones and make new memories, he said. Sunilkumar has been with the organizers since the flag-hoisting ceremony, touring temples and motivating volunteers.

While K Muraleedharan of the UDF refrained from participating in flag-hoisting rituals, he made sure to attend the major pooram day. After visiting the temples at Neythalakkavu and Kanimangalam in the morning, he proceeded to Brahmaswom Madom to attend the Elanjithara Melam and Madathil Varavu of Paramekkavu Bhagavathy. “We don’t discuss elections or votes for pooram. Now is the time to rejoice and spend time with one another. People here celebrate Thrissur Pooram, a holiday that transcends all boundaries, he added.

Suresh Gopi, a candidate for the NDA, visited Kanimangalam Sastha in the morning and saw the procession. Next, he traveled to Neythalakkavu. As a devotee, he also offered offerings at the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples. He said, “On this lovely day, election campaigns can take a break. Pooram is a proud heritage of Thrissur.”

In the meanwhile, festival goers took advantage of the chance to take pictures and shake hands with the candidates.