Kochi | The Kerala High Court has allowed the advisory committee of the famed Vadakkumnathan Temple to install advertisement boards in connection with the Thrissur Pooram festival.

A bench of justices Ziyad Rahman A A and K V Jayakumar passed the order on a plea by the committee challenging a recent decision of the Cochin Devaswom Board denying permission to install the advertisements.

The committee claimed that the Board's decision was arbitrary and unreasonable.

It also told the court that permission was granted to install advertisement boards in respect of various other festivals but not for the April 26 Thrissur Pooram.

After hearing the arguments, the court said, ".. we are of the view that a direction can be issued permitting the petitioner (temple advisory committee) to install advertisement boards in connection with the Thrissur Pooram festival." The famed Thrissur Pooram festivities got underway on April 20, with the customary, ritualistic flag hoisting carried out at all participating temples in and around the Thrissur town, marking the formal beginning of the annual festivities.

However, this year, due to the loss of lives in the fireworks unit explosion in Thrissur, the celebrations will be toned down.