Pathanamthitta, 30 August (H.S.):The historic Aranmula Uthrittathi Water Regatta will be held on Sunday, with Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan scheduled to inaugurate the event at 1.30 pm.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John and MPs Anto Antony and Kodikunnil Suresh will be among the dignitaries attending the celebrations.

The day’s programmes will begin at 9.30 am when District Collector A. Nizamuddin hoists the festival flag. The ceremonial water procession will commence at 1.30 pm, followed by the competitive boat races at 3 pm.

As many as 51 palliyodams, the traditional snake boats associated with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, will participate in the water festival. The Thiruvonathoni will lead the ceremonial procession, followed by the B-batch and A-batch palliyodams. The oarsmen will row along the Pampa while singing devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.

The winners of the competitive races will receive the Mannam Trophy. The R. Sankar Memorial Golden Trophy will be presented to the palliyodam adjudged the best for its decoration, coordinated rowing and rendition of traditional songs.

Meanwhile, the week-long Onam celebrations organised by the State Tourism Department will conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Vice-President Radhakrishnan will flag off the colourful cultural procession at 5 pm.

The procession will begin near Lok Bhavan and proceed to East Fort. Governor Arlekar, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Ministers P.C. Vishnunath and K. Muraleedharan are expected to attend the event.

A total of 69 floats prepared by various government departments and institutions will be featured in the procession. Performances representing 99 traditional and contemporary art forms will add colour to the spectacle, which is expected to draw large crowds along the route. Security and traffic arrangements have been strengthened at both venues to ensure smooth conduct of the day’s programmes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman