District collector KS Kandasamy on Friday inspected the ongoing work of the facility, taken up at a cost of Rs 28 crore. Once completed, the yatri nivas located near the lingam temple, will resemble a lingam when viewed from above, officials said. It will consist of three blocks with a total of 123 rooms capable of housing 430 guests. 

While the cottage block will have 96 beds, the hotel and dormitory blocks will have 124 and 210 beds respectively. The nivas will be completed within a year, officials said. Meanwhile, action has also been initiated to widen the 14 kilometre girivalam path around Annamalai hills at an estimated cost of Rs 65 crore, Kandasamy told reporters. 

The improvements were aimed at ensuring a smooth walking surface for devotees who traverse the path during the Karthigai deepam festival. The 2017 edition witnessed a total of 18 lakh people using the path during the festive period, officials added. Other improvements include construction of roadside drains and wider walkways.