Tourism News

Registration for Loka Pookkalam Competition open till September 16

Published in Newsletter Issue No. 349 - September 2022

Registration for the second edition of Kerala Tourism’s Global Pookkalam contest is open till September 16. Those who are interested in participating in the competition can register through the Kerala Tourism website www.keralatourism.org or http://www.keralatourism.org/contest/pookkalam2022.

The Tourism Minister Mr P. A. Mohamed Riyas has invited Malayalis across the world to participate in the contest, making it as lively as its first edition held last year.

Onam Festival Office opened 
Onam celebrations will be organised on a grand scale this year, Mr Riyas has said. The Tourism Minister opened the Festival Office in Thiruvananthapuram for the Onam Celebrations that will be organised by the state Tourism Department from September 6 to 12 across the state.

“Now, it is time to be cheerful again, forgetting the crisis and sorrow caused by the pandemic. Throughout the state, Onam will be celebrated in a befitting fashion. Apart from the state capital, celebrations will be organised all over the state taking on board all sectors,” said Mr Riyas.

The Minister for General Education and Labour Mr V. Sivankutty, who is the Working Chairman of the celebrations, said traditional art forms will get prominence in the cultural programmes. Apart from that, a rich variety of programmes will offer a veritable cultural feast to people across the state as well as tourists during the week-long festival, the Minister said.

Competitions in Kozhikode
A host of sports competitions will be held in Kozhikode city to mark the Onam celebrations. Kalarippayattu, Karate, archery, tug-of-war and road races are among those planned. A foot volleyball competition will be held on Kozhikode beach on September 8; Kalarippayattu, Wushu, and Karate competitions, at Mananchiara on September 9; archery and musical-chair competitions, on September 10; and a tug-of-war on the valedictory day on September 11. Musical concerts, comedy shows, stage plays and literature festival, among others will also be conducted during the festival.