JUDGMENT

P.R. Ramachandra Menon, J.

The laxity on the part of the competent authority in considering and passing appropriate orders for enabling the petitioner to conduct the fire works display in connection with Arattupuzha Pooram scheduled to be held on 13.03.2019, 18.03.2018 and 19.03.2018 is the subject matter of challenge in this writ petition.

2. Heard Sri.K.Ramakumar, the learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, Sri.T.K. Anandakrishnan, the learned Government Pleader appearing for the State/ Department, the learned Central Government Counsel, who entered appearance on behalf of the fifth respondent and Sri.Ajith Krishnan, the learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the Cochin Devaswom Board. 3. The learned Sr. Counsel for the petitioner submits that Arattupuzha Pooram is one of the old festivals in the country and this time, it is the 1437th annual event. It is also stated that the Pooram is significant and exclusive, in so far as there is a belief that all the Hindu Gods and Goddesses take part in the Pooram. It is for this reason that, almost all the Temples in Kerala and even the Temple at Kasi will remain closed early, so as to enable the deiti