Amid the prevailing confusion over the conduct of the big festival Thrissur Pooram at Kerala's Vadakkumnathan Temple, the government has lifted a ban on parading elephants during the celebrations, one of the biggest attractions of the event. This comes amid the speculations over the future of the event following last week's Puttingal Temple fire mishap which claimed the lives of 114 people.

Thrissur Pooram, the annual temple festival see the footfall of lakhs of people, both locals and outsiders to the city to witness the spectacle.

The two conductors of the festival, Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples compete to outdo each other in all aspects including number of elephants paraded and the best fireworks.

For years animal rights groups have campaigned against the event citing cruelty towards the elephants. This years Pooram will be held on Sunday.