10-day Karthigai Deepam comes to a close; over 40 lakh people participate

Over 40 lakh people witness the lighting of Maha Deepam at Arunachaleswara temple during Karthigai Deepam festival.

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The 10-day Karthigai Deepam festival of the Arunachaleswara temple came to a close on Friday with over 40 lakh people visiting the temple town to witness the lighting of the Maha Deepam at 6 p.m. on Arunachala Hill.

Following the landslip that killed seven persons on December 1, the State government denied entry to the top of the hill on Maha Deepam. However, local fishermen, associated with temple works, were allowed to light the deepam on the hillock.

The day began with puja followed by the lighting of Bharani Deepam at the temple around 3.30 a.m. Collector D. Bhaskara Pandian and Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) P.K. Sekar Babu were present on the occasion.

About 11,500 persons were given special passes to witness the lighting of Maha Deepam from the temple premises. “The Forest Department monitored those allowed to reach the hilltop for lighting the Maha Deepam, to ensure their safety. The hills, spread over 900 hectares of forest land, were also under surveillance to prevent forest fires,” Yogesh Kumar Garg, District Forest Officer, Tiruvannamalai, told The Hindu.

Visitors inflow was steady since Friday morning. Vehicles, including government buses, were stopped around two kms from the temple. They were allowed to park at the 120 parking lots set up away from the town. Twenty-five temporary bus stands, each capable of accommodating 3,000 buses, were set up. Additionally, over 190 buses, mostly school buses, were arranged to operate free shuttle services between the temporary bus stands and Arunachaleswara temple.

Around 14,000 police personnel were deployed and over 700 CCTV cameras installed in the town. Additionally, 85 police help desks with each desk manned by three police personnel were set up.