Sri Kshetra makes elaborate arrangements for devotees arriving for Shivarathri

With over one lakh devotees from all over the country expected to be arriving to pilgrimage centre Dharmasthala on the occasion of Shivarathri on Sunday, the Sri Kshetra has made elaborate arrangements for the darshan of Lord Manjunatheshwara besides arranging other facilities.

A release here said of the one lakh, about 50,000 would come by foot (Paadayatre) from different parts of Karnataka and many of them have already started arriving at the temple town. While devotees can take rest at Saket Gangothri, SDM High School, Amrita Varshini auditorium and other educational institutions at Dharmasthala, accommodation arrangements are made at institutions in Ujire.

The Kshetra has opened a reception office near the main entrance in Dharmasthala with an information centre, free medical treatment, beverage distribution, police post and ambulance service. Paadayatris would be welcomed with garlands. SDM Hospital, Ujire, has opened care centres at Charmadi, Mundaje, Boodujalu, Ujire and other places for Paadayatris.

Arrangements are made for uninterrupted water and power supply along with cleanliness. Doctors led by Panchakshari from Bengaluru would provide free treatment in Dharmasthala as every year.

Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project has made arrangements for discourses, bhajans and Satsangas at different locations in Dharmasthala.

Shiva Panchakshari

Pattadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade would launch the night-long Shiva Panchakshari chanting at the Pravachana Mandira at 6 p.m. on Sunday. While devotees chant the Panchakshari, they would also have the darshan of the Lord and offer different services.

Devotees from Bengaluru would provide Anna Daashha behind the goround of Annapoorna Bhojanalaya and at the High school stadium on Sunday night. KSRTC has arranged special buses to Dharmasthala from different parts of the state.