Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120353060300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Arrangements for ‘Mukkoti’ reviewed

Staff Reporter

Over 50,000 pilgrims likely to witness Teppotsavam
Importance being given to beautification of the temple town

BHADRACHALAM: The administration is going all out to create a welcoming environment for the pilgrims expected to visit the temple town for the Mukkoti festival.

Over half a lakh pilgrims were likely to arrive to witness the Teppotsavam -- the float festival -- and the Vaikutha Dwara Darshanam -- that occur on January 6 and 7 respectively.

District Collector Shashibhushan Kumar had a review of the arrangements for the festival with the officials of the departments concerned and the temple authorities here in the day.

He said that the Vaikunta Ekadasi was the second most important event in the temple calendar. The pilgrims were expected from far off places even from outside the State. He wanted basic facilities to be ensured for the visitors. Beautification of the town and its surroundings would be given importance. Security arrangements for the pilgrims and VIPs visiting the temple town also came up for discussion. Swimmers and rescue boats would be kept standby at the bathing ghats of Godavari.

Similar arrangements were favoured at the river side villages of Parnasala and Sriramagiri.

The Collector made it clear that the flotilla carrying the festive idols on a voyage in the river on the day of Teppotshavam would have place for selective people.

He stressed the need for regulating the prices of eatables in the hotels on the occasion.

Superintendent of Police Mahesh M. Bhagwat, Joint Collector M. Raghunandan Rao, ITDA Project Officer A. Sharat and others were present.