The sword of Velu Thampi Dalawa will be handed over to the State government at a function at the University Senate Hall on Sunday evening.
Culture Minister M.A. Baby told the media here on Thursday that the sword now kept at the National Museum, New Delhi, was being returned to the State following the Culture Department's request to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
When the first President Rajendra Prasad visited the State, the then head of the Kilimanoor royal family K.R. Ravi Varma Raja handed over the sword to him on August 14, 1957, in the presence of the then Chief Minister E.M.S. Namboodiripad.
The sword was kept at the President's office for a year and then handed over to the National Museum. Following the request of the Culture Department, the Centre decided to return the sword.
Agreement
It would be returned to the State Archaeology Department on the basis of an agreement.
The State government would to renew the agreement annually for keeping the sword.
Chief Secretary P.Prabhakaran and Culture Secretary V.Venu will receive the sword from Union Culture Secretary Jawahar Sircar and T.K.A.Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will preside. Union Minister of State for Home Mullapally Ramachandran will be the guest of honour. The sword will be taken to the Napier Museum in a procession.
