People from various parts of Tuticorin district thronged Panchalankurichi on Friday and celebrated ‘Kaanum Pongal’ with traditional fervour and gaiety.
Among the recreation spots, Panchalankurichi – a small village with historical significance, as the fort of the legendary freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman stands tall – witnessed a huge influx. It has become customary for many, mostly from villages, to visit Panchalankurichi and spend time there, a day after ‘Thai Pongal.’ The Kaanum Pongal festival saw people enjoying their leisure with their families. Revellers had a great time relishing homemade food even as they enjoyed their outing at Rajaji Park, Roche Park on Beach Road, Harbour beach, Hare Island area and other beaches.
Maattu Pongal
Earlier, ‘Maattu Pongal’ was also celebrated. Many people performed ‘Komatha puja’ to cows at a programme organised in Panchalankurichi by the district administration in association with Department of Tourism and the Committee of Veerasakka Devi, the ancestral deity of Kattabomman.
The venue at Panchalankurichi had turned into a platform for hosting cultural programmes inaugurated by R. Baskaran, Public Relations Officer, Department of Information and Public Relations, Tuticorin. A troupe of artistes performed Bharathanatyam and Silambattam.
Besides, ‘naiyandi melam,’ ‘vaaipattu’, gymnastics and light music programmes were also conducted. President of the Committee Muruga Boopathi, and Assistant PROs C. Kumar and T. Ramkumar were present.
Eateries had mushroomed along roadsides at many places in Tuticorin. Stalls selling toys for children had also sprung up.
Adequate police personnel were deployed at the recreation spots to maintain law and order, Superintendent of Police M. Durai, who camped at Panchalankurichi, said.
The police were keenly monitoring rash driving of vehicles, especially two wheelers, he said.
C. Malluchami, Joint Secretary, Veerasakka Devi Temple Committee, thanked the District Administration and Tourism Department for having organised cultural programmes that delighted the visitors.
Buses should be operated to Panchalankurichi, he also said.
Ilasai Manian, secretary, Ragunathan, Library Bharati Research Centre, Ettayapuram, who mooted the idea of organising a cultural mela at Panchalankurichi every year, thanked the officials.
