Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Festivities reach a peak

— Photo: S. Mahinsha

Last-minute purchases: Shoppers throng the Chalai area in the city on Sunday, on the eve of Thiruvonam.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The commercial areas and the venues for the Government-sponsored Onam celebrations in the city witnessed a heavy rush on Sunday, the Thiruvonam eve. Thousands of citizens thronged the main commercial centres to make last-minute purchases in preparation for Thiruvonam.

By evening, the East Fort, Chalai and Overbridge areas were a sea of humanity, slowing vehicular traffic to a crawl. The heightened security following the twin bomb blasts at Hyderabad on Saturday seemed to have had no impact on the festive mood.

The Government-sponsored cultural programmes at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, Sooryakanthi auditorium, Poojappura stadium, VJT Hall and Theerthapadamandapam and the floral arts festival at the Observatory Hills witnessed a good turnout. The illuminated stretch of Mahatma Gandhi Road from Vellayambalam to Museum attracted tens of thousands of citizens and tourists.

I. Gershan was adjudged overall winner in the floral arts festival, bagging the first prize in seven categories, second prize in two events and third in one category. S. Joy was the runner-up with four first prizes and one second prize to his credit. R. Suseela came third with the first prize in two categories.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kerala, M.K. Ramachandran Nair inaugurated the floral art festival. President of the Kerala Agri Horti Cultural Society Lida Jacob and secretary, Kerala Rose Society, K.P. Krishnakumar were present. The festival will continue up to Tuesday.

The three-day Onam celebrations at Sreevaraham will take off on Monday evening with a colourful pageantry starting from the west entrance to Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Caparisoned elephants, band, mounted police, folk artistes and skaters are expected to participate. There will be Thalappoli too.

Minister for Food and Civil Supplies C. Divakaran will formally inaugurate the celebrations at a function to be held at Sreevaraham. V. Surendran Pillai and V. Sivankutty, MLAs; Mayor C. Jayan Babu and Pannyian Ravindran, MP, are scheduled to attend the function.

The sprawling Sreevaraham temple tank will be the main venue for the events. The stone mandapam in the middle of the pond has been cleaned and decked up to host cultural programmes, such as ganamela, flute recital, dance and classical music performance. On Wednesday evening, the pond will play host to a display by an amphibious vehicle developed by a city-based youth. This is to be followed by the valedictory function.

The organisers have planned a series of contests spread over three days. These include Athapookalam, Kolam and Rangoli drawing, light music and painting for children.

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