Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Trust makes elaborate arrangements for Pongala

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 21. The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust has made elaborate arrangements to enable another 5,000 women devotees to offer pongala adjacent to the temple premises on February 24.

The trust president, K.P. Ramachandran Nair, the secretary M. Radhakrishnan Nair, and the general convenor, R. Sukumaran Nair, told a press conference here today that the 5,000 women devotees would be able to offer the Pongala in the five acres of paddy field on the eastern side of the temple acquired by the trust for the parking of vehicles.

Stating that this had been done to enable the devotees to offer Pongala close to the temple, the office-bearers said the parking of vehicles in the new parking ground would be restricted from February 23 to enable the devotees to set up hearths. As many as 10-lakh devotees are expected to attend the festival. The office-bearers of the trust have urged the devotees to avoid sun-baked bricks for putting up hearths at least along the main roads to prevent dust and air pollution.

Drinking water

The trust has taken steps to install water tanks with the help of the City Corporation and the Revenue Department to provide drinking water to the devotees. The Kerala Fire and Rescue Services have been asked to supply water to the tanks. The Kerala Water Authority has been asked to provide more taps near the temple premises and ensure water supply on the Pongala day. The sewerage authorities have been asked to take steps to ensure that drainage system does not get blocked.

Four teams of doctors and para medical personnel will be deployed to take care of the medical needs of the devotees. Ambulances will also be deployed on the day of the festival. Steps have been taken to light up all the roads in the vicinity of the temple. The police personnel have been deployed in strength to provide security. The service of the NCC cadets will be made available to the devotees.

The trust has deputed 150 priests to sprinkle holy water on the Pongala offerings. The trust has decided to provide yellow shawl and identity card to enable the devotees to identify the priests easily. The services of the Orient Flying School, Chennai, have been made available to shower flowers while the holy water is sprinkled on the offerings.

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