Hundreds throng Aluva Manappuram for Sivaratri rituals
Hundreds thronged Aluva Manappuram, on the banks of the Periyar, from Friday evening to participate in the Mahasivaratri celebrations.
Around 116 ‘Balitharas’ (altars for ritualistic offerings) have been set up at the venue. The midnight lighting of the Sivarathri lamp officially marked the beginning of the rituals. However, people who reached the temple from Friday morning paid obeisance to forefathers at the Balitharas.
The police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the safety of visitors. Around 1,200 personnel have been posted at the venue and nearby places, including the sand ghat, Balithara, control room, areas near the Siva Temple, watch tower, river ghat, parking area, entertainment zone, and foot bridge. Police personnel in plainclothes have also been deployed for roundtheclock surveillance. The district administration and the Aluva municipal authorities are coordinating works as part of the festival.
The Kochi metro has extended the timing of its services on March 8 and 9. Trains will operate till 11.30 p.m. from the terminals at Aluva and Thripunithura. The services will start at 4.30 a.m. on March 9 from both the terminal stations. From 4.30 a.m. to 6 a.m., the frequency of train services will be every 30 minutes. The Kochi metro authorities said additional services would help devotees as well as those attending the UPSC examination on March 9.
The district administration has ensured steps to organise the festival in compliance with the green protocol. Twenty biotoilets have been set up on the western side of the Manappuram. Waste bins have been set up to ensure proper disposal of waste. Officials of the Department of Food Safety inspected shops to ensure compliance with food safety norms. Stringent action would be taken against those trying to sell food in unhygienic conditions, it said.