Vasantholsavam, Light Show Draw Steady Stream of Visitors

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The twelve-day Vasantholsavam and Light Show, organized by the Department of Tourism in the city, has turned to be a big hit, drawing adults and children alike since it started on the Christmas eve on Wednesday.

Discerning flower buffs, who never give a miss to the annual event, noted this was by far the best flower show the city had, going by the stunning range of flowering plants on display and the way they are arranged.

The festival came a good opportunity for nine-year-old Aradhya Nair to test her photographic skills as she went on clicking the stunning variety flowers at the Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds on Friday.

A class-4 student of the Christ Nagar School, Kowdiar, Aradhya said “At Vasantholsavam, I could see an amazing range of flowers and plants. It is literally a riot of colours. I will show the pictures I took to my friends when the school reopens after the Christmas holiday.”

“I came here last year too. But this time, I have come here looking for capturing on camera the spirit and vibrancy of the colourful festival and the positive energy sparked by the illumination,” she added.

A stunning range of over 35,000 pots of flowering plants are being showcased at the event, curated by Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode.

A Chrysanthemum festival, displaying a profusion of over 8,000 chrysanthemum flowers and plants is a salient feature of this edition of the festival.

Also on display are a wide variety of dahlias, marigolds, petunias, zinnias, daisies, anthuriums, lilies, and tulips, besides a range of locally grown flowers.

An expo of flower decoration as well as a competition in this category will also be held for adults and students. Visitors can also buy flowers and plants from the stalls put up by various nurseries. Entry ticket for adults is Rs. 50, while for children it is Rs. 30.

Several competitions have also been planned as part of the festival.

The event is enlivened by several competitions while the food mela on the sidelines brings a culinary treat to the visitors, especially for the families coming out in the evenings.

Vasantholsavam, along with the annual Light Festival, organised in association with District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and various government and private institutions, will conclude on January 4.