Pathanamthitta: Reminding visitors of the glorious agricultural heritage of the area, the one-month-long Omallur fair ('Omallur vayal vanibham') has begun. Produce brought by the farmers have been arranged for sale at the venue.
The main attraction of the Omallur fair is the trade of traditional farm produce and cattle. The rural fair lays stress on the close association between man and the earth he ploughs.
A procession carrying a lamp was taken out from Thekkevayal paddy field at Velinelloor panchayat in Kollam district highlighting the history of the Omallur fair. It was later given a warm welcome at Omallur. The welcome ceremony was arranged with the cooperation of the panchayat and local people. As part of the function, a lamp was lit under the Pala tree, which is a memorial to the fair.
Omallur fair was inaugurated by Pathanamthitta Catholicate College principal Dr Mathew P Joseph. Panchayat president Geetha Vijayan presided over the function.
Panchayat members P K Jayasree, Sujith Kumar, Sarada Kumari, and Ramadevi Kuttappan Nair, Agricultural Officer Janet Daniel, Panchayat secretary Sandeep Jacob, T P Haridasan Nair, Sajayan Omallur and Abhilash Omallur spoke.
A farm seminar was also held, which was led by B Ramani. Prof Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai inaugurated a cultural event organized as part of the fair. A procession was also taken out.
Variety of produce
Visitors to Omallur fair can take home a variety of farm produce like elephant yam, colocasia, yam, several other tubers, saplings of fruit and vegetable trees, garden plants and others.
Various earthenware, implements of regular use, pans made of black soil from Thanjavur and traditional items such as 'para,' 'nazhi,' vegetable knives, grindstone and agricultural tools are also displayed for sale.
Moreover, at a stall put up by the Krishi Bhavan, saplings of several vegetables and seeds are available.
History of the fair
The origin of the Omallur fair dates back to the times when the only means of transport on land was the bullock cart. It is believed that a huge bull used for the purpose had freed himself and ran along with the stick of a Pala tree to which it had been tied at Thekkevayal in Kollam district towards Omallur. At Omallur, a local farmer managed to rein in the mad bull and tied it again to the same Pala branch.
The Pala stick gradually grew into a huge tree which stands at the same spot now. Under the tree, a cattle fair and a farm fair came to be organized which later became the 'Omallur vayal vanibham.'
