The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), Guntur Region, is operating about 300 buses to cater to the demand of devotees visiting ‘Pancharamalu’ and other Siva temples across the State during ‘Karthika Maasam’.
The ‘Pancharamlau’ specials will be operated from 12 depots in the district, on every Saturday and Sunday, so that people can have darshan of Lord Siva and his consort, during the sacred month, said RTC officials.
People visit the Pancharama temples – Sri Bheemeswara Swamy at Draksharamam, Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy at Amaravathi, Sri Kumara Bheemeswaraswamy at Samarlakot, Sri Someswara Swamy at Bhimavaram and Sri Ksheraramalingeswara Swamy Devastanam at Palakol – during ‘Karthika Maasam’ and perform special pujas.
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Apart from the ‘Pancharamalu’ specials, buses will be arranged to the five temples from Guntur, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada and Bhimavaram every half-an-hour for the convenience of pilgrims, said RTC Guntur Regional Manager P.V. Rama Rao. The RTC is also running buses to Sri Trikoteswara Swamy temple at Kotappakonda, Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Devastanam, Srisailam, Ayyappa Swamy temple at Sabarimala and Suryalanka, during ‘Karthika Maasam’, said the RM.
Deputy Chief Traffic Managers M.Y. Danam and M. Sudha Bindu said depending on the rush, RTC will increase the number of services, if necessary. Special tour packages and reservation facility has also been arranged for ‘Pancharamalu’ and other Siva temples.