This paper reflects on the impact of Covid 19 lockdown in India on religious festivals Two Hindu religious festivals in the state of Kerala namely Vishu and Thrissur Pooram are addressed here Both festivals are immensely popular and close to the heart of the Malayali Hindu and non-Hindu communities alike Rather than focusing on the economic impact, the emphasis here is on the socio cultural and psychological impact that it has had on the community The nature and spirit of these festivals differ from one another which has helped or worsened the impact for the festival lovers Due to the Covid 19 lockdown measures, secondary data collection is reduced to data sources such as newspaper articles, magazines, media reports, reflections and author insights regarding the general 'vibe' of the community The findings suggest that the Vishu festival, even after the strict measures in place, was successful in the eyes of the community and its spirit was not broken However, in the case of Thrissur Pooram, there is massive disappointment amongst the community and possible alternatives such as a Virtual Pooram could shape the future of such festivals
Pandemic lockdown in Kerala: Vishu and Thrissur Pooram festivals. (Special Issue: The impact of COVID-19 on religious tourism and pilgrimage.)