Water games, cultural events to mark Pongal festivities at Ariaman beach

RAMANATHAPURAM: Kayaking, swimming, beach volleyball and cultural activities are some of the events planned by the Ramanathapuram district administration at the Ariaman beach as part of the day-long Pongal festivities on January 16.
Addressing mediapersons on Tuesday, Ramanathapuram collector Dr S Natarajan said that it is the usual custom of people to assemble in large numbers at Ariaman beach on ‘Kanum Pongal’ day – the third day of Pongal when people visit relatives and share their wishes – and the district administration has therefore decided to make it more entertaining by organising these water sports and cultural events.
The cultural extravaganza will include Bharatanatyam, Silambam, Karagattam, Mayilattam, Pommalattam and other dance forms at the beach and the state tourism department will organise these events, collector said.
State and national-level athletes on water sports will be coming to Ariaman beach on that day while beach volleyball will be conducted for both men and women visitors. State information technology minister, Dr M Manikandan will inaugurate the competitions, collector said.
The water sports and beach volleyball will be held in the morning, while cultural programmes will be organised later in the evening. Medals and certificates will be given away to the winners of water sports and beach events along with a cash prize of Rs 5,000 for first, Rs 2,000 for second and Rs 1,000 for third, collector added.
He also said that the district administration has already started preparing for the event and various departments like tourism, rural development are working together. Local police will be making security arrangements, while buses will be operated to Ariaman beach all through the day by the state transport corporation, Natarajan said.
The events will be organised jointly by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, state tourism department and Ramanathapuram district administration.