Scores of international tourists enthusiastically participated and savoured the taste of pongal in the special festivities organised by the Tourism Department and district administration at the Grand Anicut near here on Friday. The rural ambience provided the perfect setting for the tourists to relish the festive atmosphere as they mingled with the locals and got to know the importance of the harvest festival.
District Collector N.Subbaiyan welcomed the tourists in the traditional style offering them garlands and also enlightened them on the importance of the Pongal festival. Sixty five international tourists – 20 French, nine Italian, 22 American, six Chinese and eight British – enjoyed the fun of cladding themselves in traditional the Tamil attire of sari and dhoti and went around the Koviladi village on a bullock cart relishing the festive atmosphere that pervaded the village.
They witnessed the cooking of pongal, celebrated the event, and shared the offering with their neighbours. The tourists also admired the traditional folk arts performed specially for them during the day.
Dr.Subbaiyan explained the importance of Thanjavur district in the international tourist circuit pointing out that Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, Sri Iravadeeswarar Temple at Tarasuram, the Grand Anicut, and the Manora tower and beach were attracting people from across the globe. Besides, the domestic tourists were also interested in visiting navagraha shrines in the delta districts, magnificent temples in Kumbakonam, architectural marvels in Thanjavur, and the land's wonderful art forms and handicrafts whose popularity is world famous. Visitors were also curious to admire the performing arts that have thrilled audiences worldwide, Dr. Subbaiyan said. The Collector said that more than 1.10 lakh international tourists and 55 lakh domestic tourists have visited Thanjavur district during 2014, and efforts were being continuously taken to attract more visitors during the current year.
Thanjavur MP K.Parasuraman, MLAs M.Rengasamy (Thanjavur), M.Rathinasamy (Tiruvaiyaru) and R.Duraikannu (Papanasam), Tiruvaiyaru Town Panchayat president Senthil Mani, Panchayat presidents Nagalakshmi (Koviladi), Selvi Gunasekaran (Thogur) and Kovi Manoharan (Ramanathapuram), Tourism Officer R.Rajasekaran, and Deputy Director (Art and Culture) R.Gunasekaran took part.
