Poochorithal at Samayapuram on March 8

Keep the surroundings clean, Collector tells town panchayat

District Collector K.S. Palanisamy has instructed the Public Works Department to release water in the Peruvalai canal during the annual poochorithal festival at the Sri Mariamman Temple at Samayapuram scheduled to be held on March 8.

Speaking at a meeting to review the arrangements for the festival here on Tuesday, Mr. Palanisamy directed the temple authorities, town panchayat, and the police to make necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival.

The town panchayat should ensure cleanliness around the temple to maintain hygiene. Additional sanitary workers would be deployed. Basic amenities such as drinking water supply and toilets should be provided for the devotees.

Sanitary inspectors should conduct checks to ensure the quality of food items and drinking water distributed to devotees.

Additional buses would be operated during the festival period by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation. These buses should be operated from Tiruchi, Thuraiyur, Musiri, Perambalur, and Chathiram Bus Stand round-the-clock.

Adequate security would be made in view of the festival by the police. National Service Scheme volunteers would be deployed to regulate the crowd and avoid congestion. Steps would be taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply to Samayapuram during the festival.

The Collector instructed the officials to establish a 24-hour medical camp for devotees and station ambulances and fire tenders to meet exigencies.

The temple will open from 5.30 a.m. on March 8 to noon on March 9 for free darshan for devotees, an official release said.

Superintendent of Police S. Rajeswari, District Revenue Officer K. Tharpagaraj, and Joint Commissioner of the temple K. Thennarasu attended the meeting.