Handle Deeksha devotees with dignity at Srisailam, CM cautions officials

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has put officials on notice, directing them to ensure dignity, discipline and zero tolerance for lapses in handling Deeksha-clad devotees at Srisailam, and ordering day-to-day planning to manage the swelling pilgrim turnout.

Mr. Naidu reviewed the arrangements and related issues at the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple from New Delhi on Tuesday.

He directed officials to ensure that no lapses or insensitive behaviour are tolerated at any level and instructed them to undertake daily planning and make dynamic adjustments to arrangements in line with the steadily increasing pilgrim footfall.

Noting that the rush is expected to intensify further by Mahasivaratri, Mr. Naidu asked officials to put in place robust and proactive measures to prevent any inconvenience to devotees. He stressed the need for seamless crowd regulation, faster darshan for pilgrims arriving from distant places and assured availability of accommodation. “Ensure that devotees who undertake arduous journeys observing Deeksha and wearing sacred garlands are treated with dignity and respect,” he said.

The Chief Minister asked Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy and Home Minister V. Anita to personally supervise the arrangements and closely monitor facilities and security measures. He further directed Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand to ensure full coordination among all departments, especially during peak days such as Mahasivaratri, to ensure the smooth conduct of festivities and hassle-free darshan for devotees.

Mr. Naidu underlined that public safety, devotee convenience and efficient inter-departmental coordination must remain top priorities during the festival season at Srisailam and other major Siva temples across the State.