PATHANAMTHITTA: Thousands of people, including a large number of foreign tourists, witnessed the Aranmula Uthrittathi Water Festival, marking the idol installation anniversary of Aranmula Lord Parthasarathi temple, held in Pampa river on Wednesday.Around 46 palliyodams, including 33 A batch and 13 B batch, participated in the colourful procession and race as part of the water regatta.Inaugurating the water festival, Union Tourism Minister Subhodh Kant Sahay assured Central assistance in the development of infrastructure facilities for the smooth conduct of unique event. He announced a Central annual grant of `25 lakh for the water festival. Sahay said that the Central Government would initiate measures for placing the Aranmula water festival on the international tourism arena. Delivering the presidential address, Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar said that the Government would take into account the demand for raising the annual State Government grant of ` 5 lakh. Water Resources Minister P J Joseph inaugurated the race of palliyodams.Travancore Devaswom Board president M Rajagopalan Nair, who presented the devaswom trophies for the first time, assured assistance for the smooth conduct of the regatta. NSS registrar K N Viswanathan presented the trophies to the winners.RSS pranth sanghchalak P E B Menon, Valiya Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Church Philipose Mar Chrysostum, MPs P J Kurian, Anto Antony and Kodikunnil Suresh, MLAs K Sivadasan Nair, Raju Abraham and P C Vishnunath, District Collector P Venugopal, FOKANA president G K Pillai and District Panchayat vice-president Vijayamma offered felicitations.Palliyoda Seva Sangham president K V Sambadevan welcomed the gathering and secretary Ratheesh R Mohan proposed a vote of thanks.
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