The district administration has decided to conduct the Valvil Ori festival, flower expo and tourist vizha at Kolli Hills on August 2 and 3.
King Valvil Ori ruled over Kolli Hills in 200 AD. He is known for his skill in using the bow and arrow. He is also known for his generosity and as a king who ruled without caste discrimination.
Hence, based on the State Government’s direction, the district administration is organising the festival every year in which various cultural events and sports contests are held.
At a meeting held to discuss the conduct of the festival, Collector V. Dakshinamoorthy said that interested social organisations who want to garland the statue can register themselves in the office of the Superintendent of Police by July 30 and get the time allotted for garlanding. He said that individuals, social organisations or others should not erect banners, flex materials or any advertisement materials along the Ghat Road.
Also, to protect the environment, plastic materials will not be allowed atop the hills, he added.
The Collector said that the police, revenue, forest and highways department officials would monitor the movement of tourists and also check for usage of banned plastic materials. He also said that individuals or organisations who wish to serve free meals to the tourists can serve it one km away from the auditorium where the festival is to be held. Permission should be obtained from the police and Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department for serving free meals, he added.
Cultural programmes, folk dances, dramas highlighting the life of Valvil Ori and programmes by school children would be held at the auditorium.
District Revenue Officer V. R. Subbulakshmi, District Rural Development Authority Project Director C. Malathi and government officials participated.
