Yercaud summer fest faces virus heat: Despite lockdown, flower show blooms with gigantic displays

However, this time around, though the pandemic has put a brake on the event, the Horticulture Department did create gigantic and exquisite floral displays, which are a treat to behold.

The festival of Lord Servarayan, the presiding deity of the Shevaroy Hills is usually celebrated during this time. A five-day exhibition of flower shows, dog shows, several cultural shows, boating races and a village fair is organised, galvanizing the whole town into a frenzy of activity.

Keeping with the times, fully bloomed potted flowers have also been modelled in the form of ‘STAY HOME STAY SAFE’ to drive home the message of staying safe to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A similar floral model of a peacock has been a major highlight at the Anna Park, the usual venue for the annual summer festival in the hills. The model of the national bird is meant to thank doctors and frontline workers involved in the battle against the deadly virus. A total of 3,500 potted flowers were used to make both the structures. “There are about 10,000 potted flowers in 50 colours and 30 types sourced from different parts of the country. We were planning to organise the summer festival on a grand scale and began preparations like sowing as early as in January. But we couldn’t proceed thanks to COVID-19,” said an official of the Horticulture department.

The officials now have to be content with the reach through different media. “This indeed is a big task with limited resources and labour. Potted flowers were being arranged to create a model of a butterfly. Incidentally, despite these attractions, the park which would attract footfall of over a thousand every year during summer months, wears a deserted look due to lock down restrictions,” the official added.