State Capital to Greet X’mas, New Year with Flower and Light Festivals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala’s most eagerly-awaited flower festival ‘Vasantholsavam’ will be held from December 24 to January 03 at the sprawling Kanakakunnu Palace grounds here, coinciding with the annual Light Festival that turns the city’s streets and heritage structures glittering.

Vasantholsavam and the Light Festival will together elevate the city’s charm and ambience during the Christmas and the New Year eve, both for local residents and tourists, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said at a meeting here today.

An organizing committee with Minister for General Education and Labour V Sivankutty and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G R Anil as Chief Patrons and Mohamed Riyas as Chairman has been formed for the conduct of Vasantholsavam.

MPs Dr Shashi Tharoor, Adoor Prakash and A A Rahim and MLAs of the district will be the Patrons of the event.

Mayor Arya Rajendran is the Working Chairman and Kerala Tourism Secretary Biju K is the General Convenor. Director of Kerala Tourism Sikha Surendran and District Collector Anu Kumari are the Conveners of the committee.

Vasantholsavam 2024 and New Year illumination are the most important events being organized by the State Tourism Department this year, after calling off the Onam Week celebrations in the wake of the devastating landslides at Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad, Riyas said.

Also, Thiruvananthapuram is bracing to usher in the New Year after figuring in the coveted list of ‘World’s Trending Tourism Destinations’, besides receiving several international honours, he said.

The Tourism Department has carried out several beautification schemes in the city jointly with the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which have elevated the ambience of the city. These include design-based facelift of Manaveeyam Veedhi, EMS Bridge and Bakery Junction Flyover and illumination of historic structures, together costing several crores of rupees.

The New Year Lighting Festival has become a trend-setting event since it began in 2022, the Minister said, urging the public not to miss the occasion.

Various competitions for nurseries and landscaping will also be held in various categories for individuals and organizations. The DTPC Trivandrum has invited tenders for stalls in trade fair, amusement parks and the food festival for participation in Vasantholsavam.