KOTTAYAM GET AHEAD

The 45th annual flower, fruit and vegetable show will be inaugurated by Ms Reeba Varkey, Municipal Chairperson, here on Thursday. Mr. K.M. Mathew, Chief Editor, Malayala Manorama, will inaugurate the ticket sale. Film star Kavya Madhavan will inaugurate the variety entertainment programme. There will be cultural programmes on all days till January 21, when the show concludes. Mr Sreejith, Superintendent of Police, will preside over the closing function on 21st.

Kottayam Boat Race

Promoted by the Kottayam West Club, the 108th Kottayam Boat Race 2007 will be held on Sunday, 18th September at Thazathangady. This 108 years old race is amongst the oldest in Kerala, second only to the Alappuzha Boat Race, which is sponsored by the Government of Kerala. With whole-hearted participation of the entire city irrespective of caste creed or religion, the Kottayam Boat Race is an embodiment of religious harmony.

Held during the auspicious harvest festival of “Onam”, the boat race is the largest team sport in the world. It brings alive the tranquil backwaters of “God’s Own Country” and signifies team spirit, integration and amity among the people of the state.

8th Lake City Motor Show: Organised by Lions Club of Kottayam Lake City, Sports Council Grounds, Nagambadom.

Mahotsavam at Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple: Highlights: Processions, Arattu, Classical and folk arts (December)
Utsavam at Bhagavathy Temple: Highlights: Processions, Velakali, Mayura nritham, Thalappoli, Kathakali, Arattu (November)

Flower Show and Food Fest (Third week of January)

Better Home Exhibition (October 2-6)

Erumeli Petta Thullal (January) Highlights - Chandanakudam at Vavarambalam, Petta thullal at the Sastha Temple, grand elephant pageants, band music, nadaswara melam, other musical ensembles and cultural programmes.

Vaikathashtami (November/December) Highlights - 12 day festival, Ashtami day most auspicious, elephant processions, musical ensembles, fireworks, Kathakali, Ottamthullal, Pathakam, Velakali and other music - dance performances

Ettumanoor Ezharapponnana (February/March) Highlights - Arattu ritual, procession of the ezharapponnana, elephant pageant, cultural performances.

Puthurpalli Chandanakudam, Changanacherry: The 2 day festival that begins on Christmas day. The Chandanakudam procession of five to seven tuskers begins from the Puthurpalli Mosque. Highlights: Cultural performances, musical ensembles, firework displays. Ponadu Chootu

Padayani: Annual festival at the ancient Bhagavathy Temple in Meenachil taluk. Bunches of dry palm fronds (chootu) are lit and carried in procession around the temple before the performances. Padayani performers then hit each other with the burning chootu.