Thrissur Pooram is Kerala’s spectacular annual festival, bringing together music, decorated elephants, colourful umbrellas, fireworks and massive crowds. Rooted in a 1798 tradition created by Sakthan Thampuran, it is both cultural pride and personal emotion for Thrissur residents. The author celebrates its grandeur while urging safer crowds and greater compassion for elephants.
Ganesh Chaturthi has a deep connection with nature. Traditionally, idols were made from shadu clay and natural dyes. Today, eco-friendly celebrations promote clay idols, natural colours and smaller sizes that dissolve easily. Plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns and water conservation initiatives further reinforce the festival’s message of respecting and protecting the environment.
Vishwakarma Puja evolves from childhood memories of factory visits, decorated bicycles, hot khichdi and simple celebrations into a deeper reflection on work, gratitude and changing traditions. Through a doctor’s eyes, the festival also reveals the dangers of reckless celebration. Ultimately, the author longs for simpler festivities where memories, connection and feeling matter more than grandeur.
The festive season doesn’t have to derail your fitness. Skip the perfectionism and toxic detoxes: keep moving, prioritise protein and vegetables, enjoy the treats you genuinely love, avoid mindless grazing and leftover traps, and don’t panic over temporary post-festival weight gain. Celebrate freely, return to your routine, and let fitness fit into real life.
