Authorities at the Rockfort temple here have rolled out a red carpet for the devotees to climb the rock-cut steps of the temple without difficulty. The facility, introduced a few days ago, covers 125 steps leading to the shrine of Lord Ganapathy, popularly known as Sri Uchipillaiyar. Devotees have to ascend 400-odd steps to reach the shrine located 417 feet high at the top.
A majority of these steps are well within the rock-cut area. Various shrines and the temple of Sri Thayumanavar provide shade to the devotees climbing the flight of steps. However, about 125 steps are open to the sky and devotees who climb the stairs during summer in barefoot find them too hot.
The carpet was a temporary facility and would be taken back after summer, an official said. Last year, coir materials were used on the steps but it could not withstand the heat for a long time, he added.
