Local holiday declared for educational institutions and government offices

ALAPPUZHA: A local holiday has been declared on Tuesday in connection with the Ayilyam festival at the famous Aadimoolam Vetticode Sree Nagaraja Swami Temple. The holiday, which was already applicable to Mavelikkara taluk, has also been extended to various areas in the Kayamkulam Assembly constituency. Public examinations will be conducted as scheduled.

The holiday was extended to various areas of Karthikappally taluk falling under the Kayamkulam Assembly constituency following the intervention of Cooperation and Excise Minister M. Liju. Government offices and educational institutions in Kayamkulam Municipality and the panchayats of Krishnapuram, Pathiyoor, Kandalloor and Devikulangara will remain closed on October 6. The decision followed demands from residents for a local holiday in view of the festival. Minister M. Liju, who is also the Kayamkulam MLA, intervened in the matter. Following his intervention, the Chief Minister considered the demand, after which the Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department issued the order declaring the holiday.

The main festival at the temple is held on the Ayilyam nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Kanni. Thousands of devotees from different parts of the region visit Vetticode on Ayilyam day to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Nagaraja.