Tourism Minister Shri PA Mohamed Riyas inaugurates 12-day fest
The twelve-day Vasantholsavam and Light Show, organized by the Department of Tourism, opened in Trivandrum city this evening ( December 24, 2025), offering a visual treat of an amazing range of flowers and stunning illuminations, elevating the festive ambience of Christmas and the New Year.
Mr. P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Tourism and Public Works has inaugurated the festival by switching on the light and cutting a Christmas cake at a glittering function at Kanakakkunu Palace grounds.
Ward Councilor Mr. Cleetus, Department of Tourism Deputy Director (Marketing) Mr. Ajeesh Kumar R, Planning Officer Mr. Rajeev, DTPC Secretary Mr. Satish Miranda and other officials of Tourism Department also attended the function.
“The light show is designed to align with its theme ‘Illuminating Joy, Spreading Harmony,’ highlighting Kerala’s communal harmony and social unity,” said Mr. Riyas noted on the occasion.
“2025 has been a great year for Kerala tourism as the domestic tourist footfall in the state reached an all-time high. Foreign tourist arrivals also increased significantly during the year,” the Minister said.
“The Tourism Department is focusing on every vertical of the state’s tourism sector whether it is beach tourism, high range experience, cinema tourism or wellness tourism,” Mr. Riyas added.
Both Vasantholsavam and Light Show will enliven the city till January 4.
Vasantholsavam, along with the annual Light Festival, is in association with District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and various government and private institutions.
Welcoming the Year 2026, an illuminated giant sleigh pulled by reindeer is installed at the iconic entrance of Kanakakkunnu palace grounds.
The Light Show has immersive walkways lined with oversized, glowing floral and leaf-like structures in shades of purple and white, designed to create a whimsical garden atmosphere.
One of the major attraction of the light show will be a Giant Dragon, a thematic centerpiece featuring a massive, intricately detailed red and gold dragon.
The visually fascinating event comes as a double delight for city residents as well as tourists with the Light Festival illuminating the streets and heritage structures.
A stunning range of over 35,000 pots of flowering plants are being showcased at the event, curated by Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode.
A Chrysanthemum festival, displaying a profusion of over 8,000 chrysanthemum flowers and plants is a salient feature of this edition of the festival.
Also on display are a wide variety of dahlias, marigolds, petunias, zinnias, daisies, anthuriums, lilies, and tulips, besides a range of locally grown flowers.
Several competitions have also been planned as part of the festival.
An expo of flower decoration as well as a competition in this category will also be held for adults and students. Visitors can also buy flowers and plants from the stalls put up by various nurseries. Entry ticket for adults is Rs. 50, while for children it is Rs. 30.
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