Vasantholsavam, Light Show draws to a close

Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran distributes prizes to winners

Trivandrum / January 4, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan. 04: After adorning the capital city with flowers and lights for 12 days, Vasantholsavam and light show organised by the State Tourism Department drew to a close at Kanakakkunnu Palace Grounds on Sunday.

Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran distributed prizes and certificates to winners of various competitions held as part of  Vasantholsavam, organized in association with the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).

DTPC Secretary Shri Satish Miranda; Dr M Saleem, Curator of Vasantholsavam and former scientist of Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, and Mr Ajeesh Kumar R, Deputy Director (Marketing) Tourism Department, attended the closing ceremony held at Kanakakkunnu Palace auditorium.

“The Vasantholsavam is getting better and bigger every year with increased participation,” said Smt Sikha Surendran.

“The success of Vasantholsavam reflects on the public’s passion for plants and nature,” Smt Sikha Surendran said.

Participation of private nurseries, individuals and institutions like JNTBGRI have been instrumental in the success of Vasantholsavam, she added.

The festival was opened by Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas on December 24, elevating the Christmas and New Year vibe.

The College of Agriculture, Vellayani, emerged as the overall champion in various contests held in the institutional category. The Museum and Zoo came runner-up and the Kerala Legislature Secretariat the second runner-up.

Smt Licy Joseph won the first prize in the individual category, followed by Shri V Manu Mohan and Shri Mohanan Nair as the runner-up and the second runner-up respectively.

In the commercial category Shri Jayakumar of Kumar Nursery, Kollam claimed the top slot, followed by Shri Vaisakh of Green Valley Akkulam and Smt Kochuthresy Joseph of Clare Orchid, Madhavapuram, taking the next two positions.

The most attractive flower festival the city  has ever had, going by its scale and grandeur, this edition of Vasantholsavam attracted heavy turnout of visitors from the day-one.

Offering a stunning visual treat, an amazing range of over 50,000 pots of flowering plants brought from different parts of the country were on display at the event.

The flower show was curated by Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode.

The chrysanthemum festival, displaying over 8000 chrysanthemum flowers and plants, was the highlight of this edition of the festival. A wide variety of dahlias, marigolds, petunias, zinnias, daisies, anthuriums, lilies, tulips, besides a range of locally grown flowers were also on display.

Besides seamlessly blending with the stunning range of flowers, the lighting spectacle elevated the festive mood at the venue.

Ends