Elaborate arrangements to be made at Appikonda Someswara Temple for Sivaratri

Elaborate arrangements are set to be made at Sri Someswara Swamy Temple on Appikonda Beach in view of the upcoming Sivaratri celebrations on February 15. Every year during Sivaratri, devotees throng the seaside temple to offer special prayers and take a holy dip the following day.

On Wednesday, District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad directed officials of all departments to work in coordination with one another to ensure a smooth conduct of the celebrations. He asked the officials to make arrangements for security, sanitation, drinking water supply, temporary toilets, electricity, medical facilities and queue lines.

He directed the police to prepare a special traffic management plan to prevent congestion and ensure proper vehicular movement. He also asked the authorities to to deploy adequate medical staff.

DMHO Jagadeeswara Rao, Endowments, police, revenue and EPDCL staff were present.

Meanwhile, the Anakapalli police have taken up security arrangements for Sri Pothuraju Babu (Shiva) Temple Jatara at Kalyanapulova under Kothakota police station limits. The three-day festivities will be held between February 15 and 17, as part of Sivaratri celebrations.

Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha inspected the temple and reviewed the security measures. He said that every year, around 2 lakh to 3 lakh devotees visit the temple on Sivaratri. He said special queue lines, along with separate entry and exit gates, have been arranged for to prevent stampedes. The police would ensure smooth traffic movement, he said.

For devotees taking the holy dip, nine bathing ghats have been arranged for, he said, adding that as part of precautionary measures, 10 swimmers, five boats, life jackets and safety ropes have also been brought in. The entire temple premises has been put under CCTV camera surveillance and a special control room, the SP said.

DSP of Special Branch G.R.R. Mohan and Anakapalli DSP M. Sravani were among those present.