THEKKADI
The Chitra Pournami festival at Sri Mangala Devi Kanngi Temple on the Western Ghats on Kerala-Tamil Nadu border will be celebrated on May 10.
Both the district administrations of Idukki in Kerala and Theni agreed to work jointly to make arrangements for the pilgrims visiting the temple on the occasion. The decision was made at a special meeting held between officials of Idukki and Theni district administrations and Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple Trust members here on Tuesday.
The officials of both sides assured to take all efforts to provide basic amenities and other facilities for the convenience of the pilgrims visiting the temple from both the States.
Devotees will be allowed to stay on the temple campus between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Padayatris will be allowed to go to the temple till 3 p.m. No one will be allowed to go into the forests after the deadline.
Top priority will be given to emergency health care. The Kerala officials suggested establishment of oxygen parlours. Special medical camps will be held at five places, including the temple campus.
Theni Collector N. Venkatachalam said forest department officials would arrange drinking water facility at Paliyankudisai near Lower Camp, the starting point for the climb up the hill. Special buses would be operated to Kumuli from Theni on that day. Kerala too would operate vehicles to go to the hill temple, he added.
After vociferous protest by temple committee members, suggestions to stop the vehicles transporting the pilgrims at a spot five km away from the temple zone by Kerala forest officials were rejected. The Kerala and Tamil Nadu officials agreed to stick to the existing system of parking vehicles near the temple.
An appeal to make the festival a three-day affair by the temple committee was turned down.
