Arrangements in place for Tiruvannamalai-bound devotees from Chittoor district

The ‘Maha Karthika Deepotsavam’ will be held on December 13 at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. The event attracts numerous devotees, particularly from Andhra Pradesh, who participate in the lighting of lamps and the ritual of ‘giri pradakshina’ around Arunachala hill.

To accommodate the huge number of devotees travelling from Chittoor to Tiruvannamalai, the Tiruvannamalai police have implemented extensive arrangements in coordination with the Chittoor police. The establishment of two dedicated bus stands for APSRTC buses at Thai Moogambika Nagar and AKS Nagar being one of them.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Manikantha Chandolu said that thirteen designated parking areas for vehicles was facilitated, with access restricted from 7:00 a.m. on December 12 towards the hill.

For further details regarding bus stands’ and parking facilities, people can send ‘HELLO’ via WhatsApp to the Tiruvannamalai district police helpline at 9363622330. Complimentary transportation will be available from the temporary bus stands and parking facilities.

The devotees reaching Tirvuvannamalai were urged to refrain from parking on the roadside and adhere to designated queue lines in cooperation with temple authorities.

Referring to the instructions from the Tiruvannamalai temple authorities, the SP asked the devotees not to light camphor lamps in front of ‘temple gopurams’ and along the ‘girivalam’ path. He also requested them to safeguard their personal belongings and report any suspicious individuals or items to the nearest police personnel or the ’May I Help You’ booth.

“Entry into water bodies along the girivalam route is prohibited, and footwear must be deposited at designated centres near the gopurams or along the path. The use of gas cylinders for cooking on the girivalam route is strictly forbidden, as is the unauthorised access to forest areas. Medical assistance will be readily available through camps organised by the Tiruvannamalai police for any health-related concerns,” Mr. Manikantha Chandolu said.

The Chittoor police provided the emergency numbers to the devotees from Chittoor district bound for the festivities in Tiruvannamalai. The numbers are as follows — Tiruvannamalai Town Crime Police Station: 04175-222303, Office of the Superintendent of Police: 9498100431, Emergency Assistance: 100 and Police Control Room: 9159616263.