Tourism Minister Mohamed Riyas Inaugurates 10-day Vasantholsavam, Light Festival

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas inaugurated the Department of Tourism’s annual flower show, ‘Vasantholsavam,’ and light show on Wednesday, marking the start of Christmas and New Year celebrations in the capital city.

The 10-day ‘Vasantholsavam’ and Light Festival at the sprawling Kanakakunnu Palace grounds will conclude on January 3.

GR Anil, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, AA Rahim MP, Mayor Arya Rajendran, VK Prashanth, MLA, IB Satheesh MLA, attended the inauguration function.

Sikha Surendran, Director of Tourism, Dr Reena K S, Councillor; P Vishnuraj, Additional Director of Kerala Tourism; and Satheesh Miranda, Secretary of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) were also present.

“After the formation of Kerala, 2024 marked a record footfall of domestic tourists into the state,” said Riyas. “Other than Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode will also be decorated with lights for Christmas New Year celebrations,” he added.

The New Year light show, ‘Illuminating Joy, Spreading Harmony,’ will glitter the city’s streets and heritage structures. The extensive display will feature a curated flower show and flowers brought from outside Kerala.

Kanakakkunnu and its premises, along with the city streets, will be illuminated as part of the flower show and light festival. Vasantholsavam will also feature trade fairs, amusement parks, food festivals, and cultural programmes.

Riyas said that, in addition to providing a venue for convergence, the illumination of Vasantholsavam 2024 and the New Year will convey the message of unity, harmony, and happiness to the people of Kerala.

The Minister added that the capital city is gearing up to attract domestic and foreign tourists to the event to experience the vibrant festive mood during this tourism season.

Other attractions of the event include an enormous globe, a model of a European street reminiscing about Christmas in London, Cinderella for children, a polar bear, a dinosaur, different models using lights, a beautiful garden of flower pots, a herbal plant expo, a biodiversity exhibition, rare bonsai collections, and a cut flower display. Besides, rare collections of various plants from government institutions and nurseries will be displayed.

Various competitions for nurseries and landscaping will also be held in multiple categories for individuals and organisations.

Kerala Tourism is organising the Vasantholsavam and Light Festival with the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC). The event was open to the public on Christmas Day morning.