Tirunelveli Collector Anand Mohan inspecting arrangements at Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple for ‘Aadi Amavasai’ on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
District Collector Anand Mohan reviewed the arrangements made in and around Sorimuthu Ayyanar temple inside the Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, where thousands of devotees are taking part in the ‘Aadi Amavasai’ celebrations.During the visit, Mr. Anand Mohan inspected the temple premises, tents erected by the temple administration for the devotees’ stay in the permitted areas of the tiger sanctuary, drinking water availability, temporary toilets, health posts, temporary bus stand, etc.Since the Tamirabharani is flowing near the temple, the devotees have been advised not to enter the deeper part of the river and to strictly avoid pollution of the river by using the temporary toilets created near the temple complex. Even though similar instruction is given during the ‘Aadi Amavasai’ celebration every year, no one can prevent open defecation and consequently, nauseating condition prevail there.Hence, the Collector, who visited the temple on Wednesday, exhorted the police and the forest personnel, the temple authorities and the volunteers to take extra care in preventing open defecation that seriously pollute the Tamirabharani.Private vehicles will be allowed beyond the Forest Department’s Papanasam check-post only on August 14 between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. to bring the belongings of the devotees back to the base from Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple. Hence, the private vehicles should get the pass at Papanasa Swami Temple parking area before proceeding to Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple. Devotees should take the government buses from the temple to reach the temporary bus-stand at Agasthiyarpatti as they will not be allowed to travel in the private vehicles carrying the belongings to the base after the end of the celebrations.Public will not be allowed beyond the check-post on August 15 and 16 as cleaning of Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple premises and the adjoining forest area will be done during these days.As the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has stipulated various conditions for protecting the Tamirabharani River from being polluted including the banning of discarding garlands, flowers in the river as part of religious practices, Mr. Anand Mohan inspected the spots along the perennial river in Papanasam, where the public offered special prayers on the occasion of ‘Aadi Amavasai’.Sub-Collector, Cheranmahadevi, Ayush Gupta accompanied the Collector during the inspection. Published - August 12, 2026 07:40 pm IST
