New record for most number of 'pookalams' under one roof

Kochi, Aug 27 (UNI) A new national record for the most number of 'pookalams' under one roof was created as the 'Cuticura Pookalam Contest' held here witnessed 342 intricate floral carpets.

The record breaking floral carpets were arranged in two hours using 3.8 tonnes of flowers on more than 10,800 sq feet by 342 teams consisting of five members from across Kerala.

This was for the third consecutive year the contest held yesterday had entered the Limca Book of Records. The previous two records were held in 2005 and 2006 with 221 and 299 carpets, respectively.

Cholayil Group Director V S Pradeep announced the prize winners.

Anoop from Kaipamangalam in Thrissur district got the first prize of ten sovereigns of gold while Geomon from Adimali in Idukki district came second to pocket five sovereigns of gold. Raju from Chalakkudy in Thrissur district got three sovereigns of gold for coming thrid in the contest, he said.

Limca Book of Record representative P P Peter announced the entry of the new record.

Last year, 299 'pookalams' were produced using 3.7 tonnes of flowers by 1,465 people in two hours and thirty minutes on an area of 10,764 sq ft.

UNI