Tamil Nadu to Operate 10,109 Buses for Karthigai Deepam Celebration
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Chennai, Dec 10 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) plans to operate 10,109 buses from multiple cities across the state to Tiruvannamalai for the Karthigai Deepam festival.
These special bus services will be available from December 12 to 15. Among these, 1,982 buses will depart from Chennai, while 8,127 buses will serve passengers from other areas, including Salem, Vellore, Kancheepuram, Puducherry, Kumbakonam, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tirunelveli.
Travelers, especially those on long journeys, can secure round-trip tickets through the TNSTC website (www.tnstc.in) or the official TNSTC app.
The 10-day Karthigai Deepam festival, centered around the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, began on December 4.
This festival is a significant spiritual and cultural event in Tamil Nadu, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and drawing thousands of devotees annually. The highlight of the festival is the lighting of the Mahadeepam atop the 2,668-foot-high Annamalai Hill, an ancient tradition rich in cultural and spiritual meaning. A team of 20 fishermen carries the cauldron used for this rite along a seven-kilometre route behind the temple, underscoring a profound connection to local heritage.
Officials have announced that devotees will not be permitted to ascend the Arunachala Hills near the Arunachaleswarar Temple during the Maha Deepam celebration on December 13. This decision follows a tragic landslip on December 1, which resulted in the loss of seven lives, including children. Authorities cited the wet terrain as a significant safety risk.
Although the ritual of lighting the lamp on the hills will proceed, only the local fishermen traditionally tasked with this ceremony will be allowed to make the ascent.
An expert team led by Professor K. Premalatha, Head of the Centre for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering at Anna University, conducted an assessment of the hill’s condition prior to the imposition of the ban.
Tiruvannamalai is anticipated to experience a surge in visitors on December 13, the day of the Mahadeepam celebration. Vehicles, including buses, cabs, and personal cars, will be parked approximately two kilometres from the temple. To manage the expected crowds, 13 temporary bus termini have been established, along with 54 police booths staffed by three personnel each.
Additionally, thirteen watchtowers have been installed at crucial intersections and routes to bolster surveillance and ensure safety.
In 2023, numerous devotees ascended the hills while chanting “Arunachaleshwara.” However, this year's constraints are aimed at safeguarding pilgrims while upholding the sanctity of the festival.
