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‘Palliyodam’ launch at Nedumprayar

Nedumprayar, a small hamlet on the banks of the Pampa, near Kozhencherry, is in high spirits. The Palliyoda Karayogom in this rustic area is about to launch its new Palliyodam (snakeboat) on Sunday.

Their snakeboats are named after the place. ‘Nedumprayar’ is believed to be the first snakeboat that escorted the legendary Thiruvonathoni, an eagle-faced vessel carrying provisions for the annual Onam feast at Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple, 350 years ago.

A well-built snakeboat normally lasts at least 100 years and this is the fourth snakeboat being built by the Karayogam, says its president M.R. Prathapachandran.

The snakeboat with a capacity to accommodate 120 oarsmen has been built with 850 cubic feet Anjili wood, 100 kg steel and 30 kg brass.

It took 10 months to build the vessel, and cost Rs.20 lakh.

The ceremonial launch of the Palliyodam will be held on Sunday, Chingom 1, the Malayalam new year day. P.K. Narayana Panicker, Nair Service Society, general secretary, will formally launch the vessel into the Pampa in the auspicious muhurthom between 12.15 p.m. and 2.15 p.m.

N.S. Prabhakaran Pillai, NSS taluk union president, will preside over the function.

Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, head of Mar Thoma Church; C.S. Sujatha, MP; P.J. Kurien, Rajya Sabha member; K.C. Rajagopalan, MLA; Akeeramon Kalidasa Bhattathiri, Tantri; Kalabhavan Mani, Biju Mohan and Viji Thampi, cine personalities, will also address the function.

Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

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