Preparatory meeting held ahead of ‘Panguni Uthiram’ festival

Dindigul Collector prepares for 'Panguni Uthiram' festival at Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani with detailed arrangements.

Dindigul Collector S. Saravanan presided over a preparatory meeting for ‘Panguni Uthiram’ festival at Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani in Dindigul district, on Tuesday.

According to a press release, the ‘Panguni Uthiram’ festival will be held from April 5 to 14. The festival will begin with the hoisting of the holy flag on April 5 and will go on for 10 days. The highlight of the festival is the ‘Tirukalyanam,’ which will be held on April 10. The car festival will take place on April 11 on the occasion of ‘Panguni Uthiram.’ The festival will conclude on April 14.

On the day of ‘Panguni Uthiram,’ devotees from far and near are expected to attend the festival in large numbers. The authorities have been instructed to set up temporary pavilions at various places for the convenience of the devotees coming by foot and to provide adequate drinking water and toilet facilities, medical facilities and to set up medical camps.

For the convenience of the devotees, a 24-hour control room has been set up at the temple to receive information and report grievances. Devotees can contact the control room officials on toll-free number- 18004259925 and 04545-240293, 04545-241293, 04545-242236.

Special buses have been arranged from various places and additional buses will be operated based on the requirements of the devotees. Special trains will also be operated for the devotees during the festival. As part of the security measures, surveillance cameras have been installed and continuous monitoring will be carried out. Fire and rescue services personnel will be deployed during the festival.

Palani Municipality was instructed to provide drinking water, properly maintain public toilets, appoint additional staff to collect garbage and maintain cleanliness, install garbage bins at various places and instruct the staff to remove the garbage from time to time. The devotees were asked to avoid use of plastic. Instructions were given to the authorities to remove encroachments along the procession routes.

Mr. Saravanan urged the public and the devotees to cooperate with the district administration for the smooth conduct of the event. Officials of various departments participated in the meeting.