‘Vasantholsavam’ to rev up New Year in capital city

Tourism Minister to inaugurate Dec. 24-Jan. 2 gala at Kanakakkunnu

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec. 19:

Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas will inaugurate the flower show and grand illumination, organized by the Department of Tourism, to rev up the festive mood ahead of New Year in the capital city on December 24.

The opening ceremony of the grand show, ‘Vasantholsavam’, will be held at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds at 6 pm. Minister for General Education and Labour Shri V Sivankutty will preside over the function where Minister for Transport Shri Antony Raju and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Shri G R Anil will be the chief guests.

The Department of Tourism has made elaborate arrangements to decorate prime public spaces in the city with lighting and structural installations as part of ‘Vasantholsavam,’ which will conclude on January 2.

Major attractions of the event include flower show, light show, cultural programmes, food festival, pets park and trade fair.

Shri Riyas said the illuminations and installations will add to the festive charm of the season when people gather in large numbers to usher in New Year. Besides the local people, the lighting and installations will enhance the joy of tourists visiting the state, where the inbound tourist season has commenced on a high note, Shir Riyas said.

The Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds, set to be a nightlife spot, will have custom-designed and theme-based installations at the main gateway and in and around the sprawling mound, besides tree wrapping lights and special effect lightings on the ground, enhancing the festive ambience of the entire premise.

The flower show, which is being conducted for the first time at Kanakkunnu after pandemic, will commence in the morning on December 24. The Department of Tourism is conducting an extensive and captivating light show that got an overwhelming reception last year.

The flowers for the curate flower show will be brought from outside the state. One of the major attractions will be the replicas of illuminated European houses and garden. Other attractions include butterfly swing, walkway arches, reindeer, tunnel with lights, shooting star, light boards, gift box and hot air balloons.

Entry ticket for ‘Vasantholsavam’ is Rs 100 for adults and Rs 50 for children. A pre-sale ticket counter has already been opened at the entrance of Kanakakkunnu Palace to avoid rush.

Prime urban spaces across the state where people converge for outdoor celebrations and festival shopping, including Kozhikode and Kochi, will be tastefully illuminated besides putting up glittering installations to enthral the local holiday-makers as well as tourists visiting the state.

The District Tourism Promotion Councils (DTPCs) have been roped in to plan, design and execute the lighting and celebrations in each city.

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