Promising a rare visual treat, the annual flower festival Vasantholsavam at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds here from December 24 to January 4 will feature an amazing variety of flowering plants, making it the grandest flower show ever held in the state capital. 

Vasantholsavam, along with the annual Light Festival, is organized by the State Tourism Department and the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) in collaboration with various government and private institutions, enlivening the Christmas and the New Year season. 

A stunning range of over 35,000 pots of flowering plants will be showcased at the event, curated by Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode. Flowers have started reaching the city from different parts of the country. A Chrysanthemum festival, displaying a profusion of over 8,000 chrysanthemum flowers and plants, will be a salient feature of this edition of the festival. Also on display will be 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. 

Government institutions including Museum and Zoo, State Legislature Secretariat, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Government Agricultural College Vellayani, Tropical Botanical Garden, and Ayurveda Research Centre will be participating in competitions. 

The visually fascinating event will be a double delight for visitors with the Light Festival illuminating the city's streets and heritage structures during the Christmas and New Year season. 

The flower festival will have competitions in around 70 categories including those relating to exhibition of flower plants, ornamental plants, orchids, anthurium, cactus and adenium.

Government and private institutions, nurseries and individuals can take part in the competitions. There will be separate first, second and third prize winners, besides overall champions in each category.  

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.