Kozhencherry: The boat race and the ceremonial water procession in connection with the Manavamaithri Chathayam Jalolsavam, the annual snake-boat regatta at the ghat near the Ayroor Puthiyakavu Devi Temple, was canceled due to the low water level in the Pampa river.
The event, which was scheduled for Friday, was canceled due to the drastically depleted water level in the racecourse at Cherukolkara.
Though as many as eighteen Palliyodams (snake-boats) were supposed to take part in the event, the water-body could accommodate only a single Palliyodam at a time due to the low water level.
The participants had to pull the snake-boats with tugs to the racecourse as the drop in water level in the river curtailed their free movement.
The organizing committee had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event, which has a rich tradition dating back to several decades.
With the state government’s assistance, they had also removed the sand dune formations along the racecourse.
In view of the Aranmula Uthrittathi snake boat pageantry and race, the authorities had released water from the Maniyar barrage of the Pampa Irrigation Project. However, the water level dipped drastically by Friday afternoon.
The organizers had requested the Irrigation Department to release water from the dam in order to raise the water level in the race course for the regatta, but their plea was rejected citing technically, said Thomas Thampy, president, Ayroor grama panchayat.
Though the boat race and the pageantry were canceled, a public meeting and a ‘Vanjipattu’ competition were held as per the schedule.
With the consent of the captains of the A and B batches of snake-boats, winners of different categories were selected through a draw of lots. ‘Dakshina’ and grants to the Palliyodams were also distributed.
The program was organized by the grama panchayat in coordination with the State Tourism Promotion Council and the State Sports Council.