Chitra Pournami: Ban on climbing Arunachala hills, tight security in TN's Tiruvannamalai

IANS May 11, 2025 661 views

The Arunachala Hills in Tiruvannamalai are facing strict access restrictions during the Chitra Pournami festival to protect the environment and wildlife. Authorities have banned climbing at vulnerable locations and limited entry to the Girivalam path to prevent potential forest fires and unauthorized entry. Extensive arrangements have been made to manage the expected 25-30 lakh devotees, including temporary bus termini, medical teams, and police deployment. The administration is prioritizing both public safety and ecological preservation during this significant religious event.

"The ban will be strictly enforced. Forest teams have been deployed to prevent trespassing." - Yogesh Kumar Darg, District Forest Officer
Chennai, May 11: Authorities have imposed strict restrictions on climbing the Arunachala Hills in Tiruvannamalai to prevent untoward incidents and safeguard the surrounding forest environment, as devotees are converging at the temple city for the 'Chitra Pournami' or 'Chaitra Purnima' festival.

Key Points

1

25-30 lakh devotees expected for two-day Chitra Pournami festival

2

Forest Department bans climbing at seven high-risk zones

3

4,533 buses and 165 shuttle services arranged for pilgrims

4

Comprehensive security plan with 5,197 police personnel deployed

With an estimated 25 to 30 lakh devotees expected to visit the temple town during the two-day festivities, beginning on Sunday, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has banned public access to the hills, particularly at seven vulnerable locations identified as high-risk zones.

"The ban will be strictly enforced. Forest teams have been deployed to prevent trespassing," confirmed District Forest Officer (DFO) Yogesh Kumar Darg.

Officials further stated that entry to the 14-km Girivalam path encircling the Arunachala Hills will also be restricted. The decision is aimed at protecting the reserve forest and its wildlife, including over 5,000 spotted deer.

Additionally, the move is expected to reduce the risk of accidental forest fires during the large congregation of devotees. Currently, the Arunachala Hills are classified into two segments: the western side, comprising 699 hectares, is designated as a reserve forest, while the eastern side, covering 2.99 hectares, is classified as reserve land under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882.

The latter is primarily used for tree plantation activities by the Revenue Department. District Collector K. Tharpagaraj and Superintendent of Police M. Sudhakar have inspected the arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.

To manage the heavy inflow of pilgrims, 20 temporary bus termini have been established on the outskirts of Tiruvannamalai, from which 4,533 buses will operate. Additionally, 165 shuttle services will run between these termini and the town.

A traffic advisory has been issued for locals. Vehicles with special police passes will be permitted to move within the town limits until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Normal traffic operations will resume at 6 a.m. on May 13.

To ensure public safety, the administration has activated emergency helpline numbers - 9363622330, 9159616263, and 9498100431. Two field-level hospitals, 56 medical teams, 50 ambulances (including 15 bike ambulances), and a deployment of 5,197 police personnel are part of the comprehensive security and health response plan.

The administration has urged devotees to cooperate with officials and follow safety instructions to ensure a peaceful and environmentally responsible celebration.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Good decision by the authorities! With lakhs of devotees expected, safety must be the priority. Arunachala is not just a pilgrimage site but also an ecological treasure. Hope people respect these restrictions 🙏
R
Rahul S.
While I understand the need for restrictions, completely banning hill climbing seems extreme. Couldn't they allow limited access with proper monitoring? Many devotees have spiritual connection with the hills beyond just the temple.
M
Meena V.
The arrangements are impressive - 5000+ police personnel, medical teams, and shuttle services! Shows how seriously TN govt takes both devotees' safety and environmental protection. Other states should learn from this 👏
A
Arjun P.
Last year I saw plastic waste everywhere after the festival. Hope this year with better planning, devotees will be more responsible. Our religious sites shouldn't become garbage dumps. Jai Arunachala!
S
Sneha R.
The spotted deer population is a blessing! Good that authorities are thinking about wildlife protection too. Maybe they can set up live streams of the hills for devotees who can't climb this year? Just a suggestion 😊
K
Karthik N.
I appreciate the safety measures but 4533 buses? The carbon footprint must be huge! Could they promote more eco-friendly options like special trains or carpooling incentives? We need to balance devotion with environmental consciousness.

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Tags:
Chitra Pournami Arunachala Hills Tiruvannamalai Tamil Nadu Forest Department Religious Festival Pilgrimage Safety
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