Chief Minister Oommen Chandy flagged off the pageantry from Vellayambalam in the city this evening. Tens of thousands of people gathered on each side of the road to watch the procession which passed through the main roads to East Fort.
The procession was led by a decked-up elephant closely followed by a 101-member 'Chenda' (percussion) troupe. Nearly 1,500 aristes specialising in various art forms like Mohiniyattom, Manipuri dance, Bhangra, classical dances and folk art participated in the procession.
Amusing spectacles like Mickey Mouse on a cycle, Lord Mahabali (mythical demon king) on a motorbike, Lord Siva, Parvathi and Murugan on a 'two-wheeler family trip' and Vamanan (Lord Vishnu) on roller skates added charm to the pageantry.
Elaborate security arrangements had been made with around 1,900 police personnel being deployed for the smooth conduct of the procession.