Coimbatore, May 18 (IANS) The much-awaited annual Flower Festival in Ooty, one of Tamil Nadu’s most celebrated summer attractions, began on Monday with spectacular floral displays, heritage-themed installations and elaborate decorations expected to draw thousands of tourists over the next 11 days.

The iconic event, hosted at the Government Botanical Garden in the Nilgiris district, forms the centrepiece of Ooty’s summer celebrations and attracts visitors from across India and abroad.

The picturesque hill district of Nilgiris is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals as visitors flock to enjoy its pleasant weather, lush forests and scenic destinations.

To boost tourism during the summer season, the district traditionally hosts a summer festival every May. However, due to this year’s election schedule, only select events are being conducted as part of the celebrations, including the Rose Show and Flower Show in Ooty and the Fruit Show in Coonoor.

The Rose Show has been underway at the Government Rose Garden in Ooty since May 14, featuring elaborate decorations created using nearly two lakh roses. A bird-shaped floral installation has emerged as a major attraction among visitors.

The historic 128th Flower Show at the Government Botanical Garden will continue until May 28 and is being inaugurated by Nilgiris District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya. This year’s exhibition features several new varieties of flowering plants and seeds sourced from different countries. Species including Geranium, Cyclopin, Balsam, ornamental Calyx, Oriental Lily, Pansy, Marigold, Zinnia and Telmunium have been cultivated specifically for the event.

Nearly one million flower saplings have been planted across different sections of the Botanical Garden. More than 50,000 flower pots displaying blooms of different colours have been arranged across the venue.

To celebrate Tamil heritage, the entrance facade of Chennai Central Railway Station has been recreated using more than one lakh carnations and other flowers.

The exhibition also includes 26 floral installations depicting iconic landmarks and cultural symbols such as the Ooty Mountain Railway engine, Mamallapuram temple and the Thiruvarur temple chariot.

Decorative arrangements representing the five ancient Tamil landscapes have also been created using over seven lakh flowers. Authorities have declared a local holiday in Nilgiris district and deployed 200 police personnel, while special transport services have been arranged for visitors.

–IANS

aal/dpb