Stage is set for the three-day annual Mahasivarathri jatara at the ancient Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Vemulawada of Rajanna-Sircilla district from February 23 to 25.
The festival is being conducted for the first time after formation of Rajanna-Sircilla district and Minister for Municipal Administration and IT K. Taraka Rama Rao took up the conduct the jatara as a prestigious issue and is ensuring that it remains a memorable one for the pilgrims. The district administration and police machinery is making unprecedented arrangements for the smooth conduct of festivities.
District Collector Krishna Bhaskar said the administration is taking all measures to form proper queue lines for a smooth darshan of presiding deity for every ordinary devotees. They have made arrangements for an alternative parallel queue line to meet any eventuality in the main queue line.
In all 10 medical camps, including five 24 x7 camps, with the availability of doctors and paramedical staff have been planned, the Collector said. The Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) also will start a medical camp for the benefit of pilgrims. They have pressed into service five mini buses to provide free transportation from the main bus station and Korutla bus station to the shrine for senior citizens and the disabled persons.
The authorities have constructed a helipad for the benefit of VVIPs. The State culture department will organise various programmes on Thursday and Friday at the festival venue. The GHMC had taken up painting of walls in the temple complex for beautification and will check open defecation.
Rescue teams
The Singareni Collieries Company Limited has deployed its rescue team to meet any eventuality at the holy tank and bus stand areas. The sanitation staff was roped in from 11 municipalities in the State for round-the-clock operations in the temple town.
The district police has deployed additional forces. They have also installed CCTV cameras at all vital places for the close surveillance during the jatara.
