Thiruvananthapuram: Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan will reach Thiruvananthapuram at 7 pm today for a packed two-day schedule in Kerala, marking the final leg of his visit to Puducherry, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. His arrival comes hours after a series of official engagements in Puducherry, including a civic reception, the unveiling of a statue of Mahakavi Bharathiar, the launch of a Smart City housing project and the 30th Convocation of Pondicherry University. 

After landing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport, the Vice President will head straight to the LMS Compound in Palayam to attend the Trivandrum Fest 2025 as the chief guest. He will stay overnight at Lok Bhavan before heading to Varkala for the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage on Monday.

Vice President’s schedule in Kerala

On Monday morning at 10 am, Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage Meet at Shivagiri, shortly after returning from Puducherry. He will reach Varkala by helicopter, where a trial landing was held on Sunday and another scheduled for today as part of heightened security measures.

Following the programme, he will fly back to Thiruvananthapuram to inaugurate the closing ceremony of the platinum jubilee celebrations of Mar Ivanios Autonomous College at 12.05 p.m. The Vice President will depart from the Thiruvananthapuram airport at 1.25 p.m. for Tamil Nadu, where he will serve as chief guest at the valedictory ceremony of Kashi–Tamil Sangamam 4.0 in Rameswaram.

93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage begins tomorrow

The annual Sivagiri Pilgrimage will officially begin on Tuesday with thousands of devotees expected to gather at the hill shrine. Swami Satchidananda, President of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, will hoist the Dharma flag at 7.30 a.m. Ahead of the formal inauguration by the Vice President at 9.30 a.m., foot processions from across the state will converge at Sivagiri this evening.

Fourteen thematic sessions will be conducted over the next three days. Heavy pilgrim turnout has already been recorded since the start of the pilgrimage season on December 15, with long queues at the Mahasamadhi, Sarada Mutt and Vaidika Mutt. The main pavilion has been designed to seat 10,000 people, while a large dining area near the Shree Narayana Mutt Book Stall will cater to visiting devotees.

The shrine and surrounding localities have been decorated with lights, while arches and flags line the main routes leading to Sivagiri. Cultural programmes, conferences, agricultural and industrial exhibitions, trade fairs and various stalls form part of this year’s festivities. The municipality and government departments have completed major logistical arrangements.

Security tightened ahead of VP’s visit

In view of the Vice President’s arrival, stringent security protocols have been put in place. Security agencies have conducted multiple review meetings and traffic controls will be enforced around Varkala and Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. The Varkala helipad has undergone trial runs to ensure smooth transit for the dignitary.

Mar Ivanios College platinum jubilee to conclude

The year-long platinum jubilee celebrations of Mar Ivanios Autonomous College, under the Thiruvananthapuram Major Archdiocese of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, will conclude on Monday. The ceremony, beginning at 11.30 a.m. at the college stadium, will feature Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, MP Shashi Tharoor, MLA Kadakampally Surendran, Mayor V.V. Rajesh, Devaswom Board President Dr K. Jayakumar and Principal Dr Meera George.

(With inputs from ANI)