Synopsis
On April 13, a six-kilometre-long traffic jam formed on the Srisailam highway in Telangana's Nagakurnool district, as thousands of devotees traveled to the Saleshwaram Jatara. Delays at the toll tax checkpost caused significant hardships for pilgrims, prompting volunteers and officials to manage the situation.Key Takeaways
- Six-kilometre-long traffic jam on Srisailam highway.
- Delays at Mannanur checkpost caused congestion.
- Devotees faced hardships, especially women and children.
- Annual Saleshwaram Jatara attracts pilgrims from both states.
- Strict guidelines for devotees during the yatra.
Hyderabad, April 13 (NationPress) A remarkable six-kilometre-long traffic jam was experienced on the Srisailam highway in the Nagakurnool district of Telangana on Sunday, as a multitude of devotees made their way to the Saleshwaram Jatara.
Officials reported that the traffic congestion was primarily caused by delays in toll tax payments at the Mannanur checkpost in Amrabad mandal, where the Forest Department collects fees from vehicles en route to Saleshwaram.
The prolonged wait resulted in a traffic backlog extending six kilometers along the Srisailam Ghat Road, stretching from the checkpost to Siddapur Cross, creating significant challenges for pilgrims, including women and children.
To alleviate the situation, volunteers and staff from the Forest Department worked diligently to manage the traffic.
Every year, a jatra is celebrated at the Saleshwaram Lingamayya Swamy temple during Chaitra Purnima, which marks the first full moon of the Hindu lunar calendar.
Devotees from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh participate in the three-day Saleshwaram jatara, often referred to as Telangana’s Amarnath Yatra.
As Sunday marked the final day of the jatra, a significant number of devotees were seen queuing at the temple.
The extensive traffic jam was also linked to hundreds of pilgrims traveling to either the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple or the Srisailam temple in Andhra Pradesh.
The influx of visitors at the jatra and the Srisailam temple was heightened due to the celebration of Hanuman Jayanti and a series of holidays.
Officials noted that many devotees opted to trek to the Saleshwaram Lingamayya Swamy temple, nestled within the forest and surrounded by hills, where they sought darshan and made offerings.
The temple is accessible via three pathways and is believed to have been established in the sixth or seventh century.
Temple authorities have urged devotees to adhere to guidelines during the yatra, advising against bringing plastic bags, water bottles, or other plastic items into the forest. They also cautioned against traveling alone in the forest.
A strict ban on alcohol consumption has been enforced, with warnings that violators will face consequences.
Given the risk of forest fires during the summer months, devotees were instructed not to carry matches or other fire-starting materials.
