KOCHI: Arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of the ‘nada thurappu’ festival at the Thiruvairanikulam Mahadeva temple, scheduled for 8 p.m. on January 11, temple trust officials said.
Lakhs of pilgrims visit the temple, near Aluva, when it is opened for 12 days in a year. A ‘nadapanthal’ of around 20,000 square metres has been set up, and it can accommodate up to 50,000 devotees at a time.
The Southern Railway has scheduled halts for several trains at Aluva. KSRTC will operate special services from Aluva, Perumbavoor, Angamaly, Paravur, Chalakudy, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam depots. Two temporary bus stations will be opened near the temple.
More than 300 policemen will be on duty, apart from 250 private security guards and more than 200 volunteers. The temple premises will be under CCTV surveillance. A control room, headed by the Aluva Tahsildar, will function. Vehicles of the Fire and Rescue Services Department will be stationed near the temple to take care of emergencies.
The ‘thirvuvabharanam’ procession will begin at 4 p.m. on January 11. The nada thurappu will take place after the procession reaches the temple.
