Vrischikolsavam begins at Poornathrayeesha

TRIPUNITHURA: The eight-day-long ‘Vrischikolsavam’ began here at the Sree Poornathrayeesha Temple, with the hoisting of the holy flag by the temple tantri, Puliyannoor Sasi Namboothiripadu. The flag was hoisted in the auspicious moment between 7:00 and 7:30, in the evening.After the flag hoisting, Kalanilayam Udayan Namboothiri presented a ‘Thayambaka’ to the ‘Aanakkottil’. Excise Minister K Babu inaugurated the cultural programmes. The minister honoured Kathakali artist Padmasree Kalamandalam Gopi, with a ‘Ponnada’ and a gold medal.Police VigilIn the wake of the ever increasing crowd for the festival, Tripunithura Police has installed hidden cameras at ten crucial spots, on the temple primises.To monitor the crowd movements, a control room has been set up near the eastern gate of the temple. “We are also recording the crowd movement, to check in future, in case of any untoward incident, said Byju Paulose CI.A specially trained squad comprising ASI Paulose, Binu, Madhu, Thilakan and others are at constant vigil at the control room.