The Hindu : Elaborate arrangements for Mahasivaratri jatara

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 26, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Karimnagar

Elaborate arrangements for Mahasivaratri jatara

By Our Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR, JAN. 25. The district administration is making elaborate arrangements for the three-day Mahasivaratri jatara from February 17 to 19 at the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanams in the temple town of Vemulawada.

This year the Vemulawada jatara attains significance because of the Medaram Samakka-Sarakka jatara in Warangal district. In view of the Medaram jatara, it is expected that a majority of the pilgrims will pay a visit to the Vemulawada temple shrine and then proceed to Medaram. Already, Vemulawada has been experiencing an increase in pilgrim rush during the past few days.

In view of the acute drinking water shortage prevailing in Vemulawada, the administration is taking adequate steps to provide protected drinking water to the pilgrims through tankers and are also repairing borewells. It has also been decided to fill the Dharmagundam with the help of water tankers during the jatara period. The authorities have also decided to make arrangements to ensure supply of drinking water at all the bus stations and queue complexes. They will also set up temporary shelters, queue complexes and toilets for the benefit of pilgrims.

The electricity authorities are also taking steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the jatara besides taking up electrification of all roads, shelters and queue complexes. The APSRTC will operate 260 special buses during the jatara on 15 routes. They are also setting up temporary bus stands with all facilities for the pilgrims.

The Civil Supplies Department is taking steps for the supply of rice, sugar and kerosene through fair price shops. Fire tenders from Metpally and Sircilla will be deployed at the temple shrine during the jatara.

To prevent any untoward incident, additional police forces will be deployed at the temple town. Besides, the police are also planning to utilise the services of NCC, NSS and Scouts and Guides volunteers for regulating queue lines and in assisting pilgrims. The police have also identified parking lots for private vehicles on the outskirts of town.

The District Medical and Health Department is making arrangements to provide proper medicare to the pilgrims by deploying doctors, paramedical staff and ambulances. The Panchayatraj Department has been entrusted with the job of providing sanitation in town. Several voluntary organisations have also been roped in for the jatara. The Information and Public Relations Department is organising several cultural programmes during the jatara.

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Elaborate arrangements for Mahasivaratri jatara