Arrangements under way ahead of Thai Poosam at Palani temple

Elaborate traffic arrangements are being made for lakhs of devotees who are expected to throng the hill temple at Palani in Dindigul district for Thai Poosam festival on February 1. .

The district police on Thursday issued notification for temporary traffic arrangements for the festival for the convenience and benefit of the devotees.

According to a press release, the devotees can come via Kodaikanal road (Gate 1) and Devasthanam bus stand (Gate 2), join the queue leading to the hill temple and reach the temple via Kudamuzhukku Mandapam. Drinking water facilities have been provided at key points along the route.

There are no restrictions for devotees to visit Paatha Vinayagar temple or to circumambulate the giriveethi. After offering prayers, devotees descending the hill temple via steps can use the paths on the giriveethi to reach their vehicles. To facilitate easy access to Gate 1 and Gate 2, all outstation buses and special buses have been diverted to APA College temporary bus stand. Local buses only will be allowed at V.O.C. bus stand. For the convenience of devotees, free special buses have also been arranged.

Government and private buses should drop off passengers at Kodaikanal road (Aavin Dairy) bus stop. From there, devotees can reach the hill temple via Gate 1. After dropping off the passengers, the buses must proceed to APA College temporary bus stand. Devotees alighting at APA College temporary bus stand can reach the hill temple via ESI Junction and Gate 2.

Parking facilities for devotees have been provided at various places: east side of court, south side of court, opposite RVS Mahal, Mayiladumparai, RTO office, LIC office, Idumban Kulam, Opposite Aavin Dairy (Kodaikanal road), Chithirai apartments, Municipal Boys Higher Secondary School, Devasthanam bus stand, Gosala bus stand, and behind Thevar statue.

Vehicles are prohibited from travelling via Mayil roundabout to Thevar statue and Balaji roundabout, and via Vel roundabout to Thiruvavinankudi. This restriction does not apply to local auto-rickshaws.

QR code flex banners have been placed around the Girivalam (circumambulation) route to help devotees reach their destinations. By using these QR codes, devotees can easily reach their locations such as the hill temple, winch station, rope car, bus stand, foot hills, hospital, police station via Google Maps.

To help the devotees easily locate their destinations, flex banners indicating ‘You are Here’ maps have been placed at key junctions. The flex banners allow the devotees to identify their current location and find their way to their destination.