Tourists from the United States and France preparing the sweet Pongal at the Butterfly Conservatory Park in Tiruchi on the occasion of 'Kaanum Pongal' celebrations on January 16, 2017. Photo: M. Srinath | Photo Credit: M_SRINATH more-in Bullock cart rides, beat of the traditional ‘melam', a profusion of intricate kolams, folk arts and the lingering aroma of sweet pongal presented a rural ambience for tourists at a Pongal festival organised by the Department of Tourism at the Butterfly Conservatory near Srirangam on Monday. About 20 tourists from the United States and France were treated to the traditional festivities. After riding the bullock cart for about 100 metres to the accompaniment of ‘Thappuattam’ by a team of 20 youth, they were received with garlands by Vellamandi N. Natarajan, Minister for Tourism and C. Valarmathi, Minister for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare,and K. S. Palanisamy. The visiting tourists prepared the sweet Pongal before entering the Conservatory. Cyril, a French tourist, told the media that they enjoyed every bit of the tour. They wanted to visit a lot of places in and around Tiruchi. They were seen rejoicing the hospitality extended to them not only by the officials but also by the people. Nicolas Marie, another tourist, said that she was very much impressed by the love and affection showered on them by the local people. Henri from France, said that he had passed an undergraduate course in Tamil literature and was pursuing a post-graduate course in Tamil literature. The Tamil culture and rural ambience was always dear to him. Vincent from the United States said that although he had married a Tamil woman four decades ago, he was yet to learn the language. K. Ilangovan, Tourist Officer (in-charge) said that the tourists who were staying at different places in the city, were specially invited for the celebrations. An official release issued later said that the Tourism Department has drafted a plan to develop the road leading from Srirangam to the Conservatory Park at an estimate of Rs. 2.50 crore. Tourism development works would be executed at Veerappur temple, at an estimate of Rs. one crore while the Tiruppainjeeli and Maniyankurichi temples in the district would be illuminated at an estimate of Rs.1 crore. Meanwhile, Mukkombu, in the outskirts of the city, attracted a large number of people on the occasion of Kaanum Pongal despite the dry Cauvery and Coleroon rivers. The young and old made merry at the park established by the Public Works Department. The PWD, in co-ordination with the police department, had made adequate arrangements for the safety of the visitors.

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