Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

Snake-boat work begins

PATHANAMTHITTA: The second phase work of a new snake-boat (palliyodam) of the Ayroor Palliyoda Karayogam began at a function held on the banks of the Pampa at Ayroor near Ranni on Thursday.

P.N. Narendranathan Nair, treasurer of the Nair Service Society, inaugurated the work and Prof. P.J. Kurien, Rajya Sabha member, inaugurated a public meeting.

Delivering the benedictory address, Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostum, senior Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Church, said the Aranmula palliyodams represented a rich tradition of social unity, love, culture and sharing prevailed in this part of the State.

Akeeramon Kalidasa Bhattathiri, Tantri of Thiruvalla Sreevallabha Temple, delivered the blessing speech.

Dr. M.P. Chandrashekharan Nair, president of the Ayroor NSS Palliyoda Karayogam, presided over the function.

The Ayroor NSS Karayogam is the custodian of the oldest and largest palliyodam and the work on the new snake-boat is progressing so as to complete it before the Onam festival.

K.V. Sambadevan, Palliyoda Seva Sanghom president, delivered the keynote address.

Participation of villagers, cutting across different religious faiths, is the main attraction of the snake-boat building project at Ayroor. The Ayroor Palliyoda Nirmana Samiti has undertaken the project.

Mr. Chandrashekharan Nair is the samiti president while Prof. K.A. Mathew and Dr. K.A. Kuncheria are its treasurer and general convener. Unlike other snake-boats used in races, Aranmula palliyodams are unique in their shape and structure.

Changamkary Venu Achari is the master craftsman of the 34.5-metre long, 1.98-metre wide snake-boat, Ayroor Palliyodam.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Chempeduppu ceremony on May 7
Snake-boat work begins
Guptan’s unfulfilled plans
Worker drowns in Achencoil

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu