City gearing up for Chithirai festival

Preparations are under way to make the ritual of Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the Vaigai on April 30 a grand spectacle.

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department and staff of Kallazhagar Temple at Alagarkoil have installed big boards in major temples in the city, highlighting the different functions that take place as part of Chithirai festival. Joint Commissioner and Executive Officer of Kallalagar Temple S. Marimuthu said instructions had been sent to all the 435 ‘mandagapadi’ committees about arrangements to be made when Lord Kallazhagar makes his way. “The premises must be neat and clean and the pandal must not be made of inflammable materials. The entry point of each mandagapadi must be at least 20-foot high,” he said. Puja articles must be kept ready with easy access so that deeparadhana could be performed within three minutes at every stop.

Temple staff would be appointed on eight-hour shifts to accompany the deity from Moondrumavadi, where the Lord would be welcomed, to Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple in Tallakulam. At least 100 police officials would travel with the deity, along with a medical team.

On April 30, when Kallazhagar entered the Vaigai, the Madurai Corporation would erect double barricades for the safety of devotees. Two pandals -- one by the corporation and the other by the temple administration -- would be erected.

Eight mobile toilets with 45 stalls would be stationed at prime spots, as because of shortage of such facilities last year devotees relieved themselves in the open, leading to stench along the Vaigai. An additional force of 200 sanitary workers would be drafted for festival duty.

Hundred garbage bins would be placed in crowded places and drinking water supply ensured for devotees.

A corporation official said seven or eight 2,000-litre plastic tanks would be placed at prime spots during the festival days and filled twice a day. Roads had been relaid well in advance this year, he added.