Sat Nov 16 15:15:30 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Temple Festival in Jeopardy After High Court Elephant Ruling
**Thrissur, Kerala – November 16, 2024** – The Sree Koodalmanikyam Devaswom temple’s annual 10-day festival is facing cancellation due to a recent Kerala High Court ruling on captive elephant management. The Devaswom Management Committee announced Saturday that new restrictions, mandating a 3-meter gap between elephants during processions, render the traditional “shiveli” and “vilakku” parades impossible. The temple’s parade area, measuring just 33m x 10.5m, cannot accommodate the required 17 elephants under the new guidelines. Furthermore, the biennial “arattu” ceremony, a 20km procession to Rappal and Koodapuzha for the idol’s holy dip, is also deemed unfeasible under the court’s ruling. The Devaswom is currently assessing the situation and exploring potential solutions.
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