Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Jalotsavam draws to a close

Special Correspondent

20 decorated floats sail to Thiruvallom in a procession

CULTURAL PROCESSION: A pageantry held on the River Karamana in the city on Wednesday to mark the conclusion of Jalotsavam 2006. Photo: S. Mahinsha

Thiruvananthapuram: A floating pageantry on Wednesday marked the conclusion of the three-day water sports festival titled Jalotsavam 2006 held on the River Karamana as part of the Onam celebrations in the city.

As many as 20 decorated floats wound their way along the placid waters of the river from Neeramankara, near the Karamana bridge, to Thiruvallom in a slow procession, to the accompaniment of drums, panchavadyam and the cheers of spectators lining the banks.

Public sector organisations such as the Kerala State Financial Enterprises and Matsyafed, hotels and tourist resorts presented floats. Some of the floats depicted folk arts performances and monuments such as the Kovalam palace.

A flotilla of small boats escorted the pageantry. The police and the Fire and Rescue Service personnel also accompanied the procession on boats. The spectators included a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.

Earlier, Electricity Minister A.K.Balan inaugurated the pageantry at a function held at Neeramankara. V.Sivanktty, MLA, district panchayat president Anavoor Nagappan, councillors and organising committee leaders Kaimanam Prabhakaran and A.J. Sukarno were present. Actor Madhupal administered a pledge to the gathering to protect the river.

This year's Jalotsavam was jointly organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and the Thiruvananthapuram Jalotsava Samiti.

Later, Minister for Education and Culture M.A.Baby inaugurated the closing ceremony of the pageantry on a giant floating stage at Thiruvallom.

DCC president K.Mohankumar and V.Surendran Pillai, MLA, were present.

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