Arrangements are in place at Semmedu, Kolli Hills, for Valvil Ori festival, tourist vizha and flower exhibition to be held on August 3.
The festival would begin at 6 a.m. with the garlanding of the statue of Valvil Ori, a generous king who ruled the Kolli Hills region during 200 A.D. The then region consisted of 18 Nadu including the present Rasipuram, Sendamangalam and other hill areas where jack fruit, banana and paddy grew in abundance.
It is believed that King Ori killed an elephant, tiger, deer, pig and monitor lizard with a single arrow.
Hence, to celebrate the King’s valour and generosity, the government celebrates the festival on ‘Aadi’ 18 every year.
Apart from flower exhibition, stalls put up by government departments would exhibit various welfare schemes. Beneficiaries would be given welfare assistance during the festival.
Cultural programmes will be part of the festival. The events would be conducted at an auditorium in Semmedu and prizes would be distributed at the end of the day.
As a prelude to the celebrations, college students on Saturday removed plastic materials on Ghat Road and in tourist spots in Kolli Hills.
