No VIP vehicles will be allowed on the ghat road leading to Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple atop Kotappakonda, where the Maha Sivaratri festivities, will kick start on Friday morning.
Superintendent of Police, Guntur Rural, K. Narayan Naik, said that those coming in VIP vehicles would have to stop on the foot hills and the visitors would be taken by buses to the hill shrine.
Mean while, all arrangements have been made for the festival where over one lakh devotees are expected to converge.
APSRTC, regional manager G. Srihari said that the RTC was plying 679 buses from various depots.
Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao will offer the ‘pattu vastramulu’ to the presiding deity.
The Police department is making elaborate bando-bust arrangements for the festivities. Mr. Naik said that 4,000 police personnel were being deployed to control the pilgrims.
As many as 14 'Prabhas', rectangular frames tapering at the top made of bamboo and decorated with coloured cloth and paper, have been permitted during the procession.
Only those vehicles with special passes would be allowed to ply on the ghat road. Temple Executive Officer Annapureddy Ramakoti Reddy said that two permanent sheds have been put up for the benefit of pilgrims wishing to have free darshan.
The Endowment Department has pressed into service 100 volunteers to handle the rush. Scouts and Guides and private security personnel have also been pressed into service.
