TIRUVANNAMALAI, INDIA, May 2, 2015 (The Hindu): [HPI note: This is a remarkable event, one which our editors have participated in. It starts and ends at Annamalaiyar Temple at the base of Arunachal Hill–famed for Ramana Maharishi’s ashram. Hundreds of thousands–a large number of them young–walk barefoot 13 km around the hill.]
More than 1,800 special buses will be operated to Tiruvannamalai from different parts of the State in view of Chitra Pournami on Sunday. Several hundred thousand devotees are expected to circumambulate the holy hill (Girivalam) on that day.
District Collector A. Gnanasekaran told reporters here on Thursday that five thousand police personnel will be deployed for security. Special darshan for devotees has been arranged at the Arunachaleswarar Temple for US$.30 and $.80. Shelters and first aid booths have been put up in the temple. Sufficient number of 108 ambulances would also be stationed along the path.