With Chithirai Thiruvizha round the corner, arrangements are in full swing at the Meenakshi Temple here, the focal point for the festival, to be held from April 14 to 25.
As the major event during the festivities is the ‘Meenakshi Tirukalayanam’ on April 23, the temple authorities are planning to install a 150-tonne air-conditioner for the convenience of thousands of devotees who will throng the temple to witness the celestial wedding.
“Last year there was 100-tonne open air conditioner, but this time we will have 150-tonne AC to reduce humidity and make the devotees feel comfortable,” P. Jayaraman, Joint Commissioner and Executive Officer, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, said on Saturday.
The stage for celestial wedding is being renovated and there will be attractive flower decoration at important points in the temple during the Chithirai festival.
Mr.Jayaraman said that floral decoration will be a highlight this year as the temple would purchase flowers for Rs.15 lakh from Bangalore and Madurai markets. Lighting in the temple and on Masi streets is another aspect that would be given attention.
The Chithirai brahmotsavam begins with ‘Kodiyetram’ (flag hoisting) on April 14 at 10 a.m. While the Meenakshi pattabhishekam is on April 21, the celestial wedding will take place on April 23. It will be followed by car festival on April 24.
“We are going to put up big size LEDs at six places in and outside the temple for people to watch the Meenakshi Tirukalyanam. All steps will be taken to ensure adequate supply of drinking water and prasadham for devotees,” the Joint Commissioner said.
A detailed plan will be worked out by the temple management in consultation with the police for crowd management in the temple surroundings during the festival. For the foreign tourists, there will be a special enclosure in the temple on the day of celestial wedding and the Tourism Department officials here will coordinate with the foreign visitors.
The finer aspects of overall arrangements will be decided during the special meeting being convened by Collector Anshul Mishra on April 2 with officials of various Government departments and Meenakshi Temple authorities.
