Elaborate Arrangements for Sivaratri at Appikonda and Kalyanapulova Temples
Authorities are making elaborate arrangements at Sri Someswara Swamy Temple on Appikonda Beach ahead of the Maha Sivaratri celebrations on February 15. The seaside temple witnesses a heavy influx of devotees every year, with many offering special prayers and taking a holy dip the following day.
During a review meeting on Wednesday, District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad directed officials from various departments to coordinate closely to ensure the smooth conduct of the festivities. He instructed them to provide adequate security, sanitation, drinking water, temporary toilets, uninterrupted power supply, medical services, and proper queue lines.
The Collector also asked the police to prepare a special traffic management plan to prevent congestion and regulate vehicular movement. He emphasised the need for sufficient deployment of medical personnel. DMHO Jagadeeswara Rao, along with officials from the Endowments, police, revenue, and EPDCL departments, attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Anakapalli police have initiated security arrangements for the three-day Sri Pothuraju Babu (Shiva) Temple jatara at Kalyanapulova under Kothakota police station limits. The festivities are scheduled from February 15 to 17 as part of Sivaratri celebrations.
Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha inspected the temple and reviewed the security measures. He said that an estimated two to three lakh devotees visit the shrine during Sivaratri each year. Special queue lines, along with separate entry and exit gates, have been arranged to prevent stampedes. Traffic movement will also be regulated, he added.
Nine bathing ghats have been set up for devotees taking the holy dip. As a precautionary measure, 10 swimmers, five boats, life jackets, and safety ropes have been deployed. The temple premises have been brought under CCTV surveillance, and a special control room has been established, police said.
DSP (Special Branch) G.R.R. Mohan and Anakapalli DSP M. Sravani were among those present.