President Pratibha Patil will be arriving Kottayam on Thursday on a three-day visit to Kerala during which she will participate in various programmes.

She will be accompanied by a 42-member team including her family comprising husband Dr Devisingh Shekhavat, daughter Jyothi Rathode and other members.

District Collector Mini Antony told reporters that 28 suites had been booked at the Taj Hotels,Kumarakom, for the team. The President will be staying at the “Poolvilla”, facing the Vembanad lake.

Kerala Governor R S Gavai would also stay for three days in the adjacent hotel Hotel Zuri, the Collector said.

Cultural programmes including Kerala’s traditional dance forms ‘Kathakali’ and ‘Mohiniyattom’ have been arranged for the dignitaries during their stay.

The President will inaugurate the valedictory of the birth centenary celebrations of St.Alphonsa at Bharananganam in Pala on Thursday and return to Kumarakom for an overnight stay.

She will leave for Thiruvananthapuram on Friday to participate in two public functions. She will return to Kumarakom in the afternoon and go for an evening cruise in Vembanad backwaters.

She will proceed to Alappuzha on 14th August to inaugurate Nehru Trophy Boat race and leave for Kochi in the afternoon