More amenities to be provided during Chitra Pournami festival in Tiruvannamalai

The district administration is gearing up for the upcoming Chitra Pournami festival in Tiruvannamalai with more civic amenities for devotees, who will be going on girivalam path on April 23 and 24.

The ocials of HR&CE, which maintains the 7th Century temple, said the festival has been witnessing steady rise in the number of pilgrims visiting the temple. With additional facilities for visitors, the district administration has decided to organise the festival.

Around 20 lakh devotees are expected to visit the temple.

In view of such a huge crowd, a review meeting, led by Collector D. Bhaskara Pandian, was held to prepare the temple town for the event.

No VIP darshan

The ocials said that letters from VVIPs for special VIP darshan would not be allowed. Also, special darshan tickets of ₹50 for devotees has been cancelled for the festival.

All devotees would be allowed for darshan free of cost during the festival. Special queue would be in place for senior citizens and pregnant women to have darshan easily.

Also, battery-run cars would be used to help persons with disabilities to move around inside the temple. A special entry would be provided for them.

The district administration would set up medical camps to attend emergency cases along the 14 km-long girivalam path.

Over 35 free toilets and six bathrooms would be made available on the pathway. Puried water taps, round-the-clock power supply with four heavy duty generators as a backup, and street lights would be provided.

Around 2,800 special bus services would be operated by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) from the town during the festival.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Collector D. Bhaskara Pandian reviewing the preparatory works for the festival in Tiruvannamalai. Superintendent of Police K. Karthikeyan is also seen.