MADURAI
Pointing to the lack of basic amenities at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, a public interest litigation petition was filed before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
The petitioner, Rangarajan Narasimhan of Tiruchi, claimed that the temple received a large number of devotees throughout the year, especially at the time of ‘Viruppan Thirunal Utsavam’ during Chithirai festival.
However, the authorities concerned had failed to put basic infrastructure in place to accommodate devotees during Chithirai festival. The petitioner said that there was an absolute lack of clean drinking water, bathing and toilet facilities for devotees.
He complained that there were only two portable toilets stationed on the banks of the Kollidam – one each for men and women – when lakhs of devotees thronged the temple. This posed a serious health hazard, the petitioner said.
In a status report, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department and the temple authorities assured that they would organise the car festival, scheduled for May 3, without any issues. The report said that Tiruchi Corporation had made arrangements to instal 25 water tanks to meet the drinking water needs of devotees.
Sufficient toilet facilities would be provided at 16 places near the temple. Three fire engines and an ambulance with doctors, including veterinary doctors, and nurses would be stationed near the temple. Uninterrupted power and water supply would be ensured, the report said.
A Division Bench of Justices P.N. Prakash and B. Pugalendhi took cognisance of the report and adjourned the hearing till June.