Thai Poosam is festival is celebrated every year during the Tamil month of Thai during when Poosa Natchhathiram (star) and Pournami Thidhi falls on the same day. Dedicated to Lord Muruga, devotees throng the temples to seek good health and propensity. The entire day is jam-packed with people, special poojas and offerings.
Every year devotees of Lord Muruga from Coimbatore flock the Murugan temple at Marudhamalai to celebrate Thai Poosam. This year is no exception, the devotees have already begun their long walks from several suburbs towards the hilltop temple, as Thai Poosam is celebrated tomorrow. Along the way, starting from Lawley Road the entire stretch of Marudhamalai road upto the temple volunteers have been providing water bottles, refreshments and dinner for the devotees who opt to walk.
As close to a lakh devotees are expected to visit the temple tomorrow, security measures have been beefed up to avoid any unforeseen events.
Speaking on this to SimpliCity, Vadavalli Police Inspector Thuyamani said that, '100 police personnel are being deployed along the path to provide safety to the devotees and to have a check on undesirable incidents like chain snatching. A team led by a DSP, 3 inspectors and 100 home guards will be on duty at Marudhamalai. The security personnel will begin their duty from today.
Apart from the existing CCTV cameras, four additional cameras have been installed to monitor the situation. Ambulance along with a medical team and fire service vehicles will be stationed at the foot hills to attend to any eventualities immediately.
All four-wheelers and two-wheelers have to use the parking provided near the Government Law College. No vehicles will be permitted after that limit' he said.
Briefing on the amenities at Marudhamalai this Thai Poosam, K. Ramaiah, Assistant Commissioner, West Zone of Coimbatore corporation stated that, “All basic amenities like water, dustbins, toilet facilities have been taken care of at the Marudhamalai Temple for the upcoming Thai Poosam festival.
Dust bins with a capacity of one ton and one and a half tons has been installed at prominent places for devotees to dispose all garbage. Compared to last year, additional dustbins have been installed at the foothills and at the hill top.
Two drinking water tanks have also been installed for supply of drinking water round the clock.
Additional lights have been installed on the foot path along the hills to facilitate ease of walking and safety of the devotees who opt to take the walking route. As the temple has adequate toilet facilities, no mobile toilets have not been installed.
The team appointed by the Coimbatore Corporation will keep a vigil on the requirements of the devotees and also to ensure that the devotees' needs are met on a timely manner” he said.