A strong increase in the number of devotees traveling to the Sri Mariamman temple in Samayapuram on foot have generated concern for their safety while walking through one of the most active sections of the National Highway near Truchi. | Photo credit: M. Srinath
The exponential increase in the growth of devotees, which make Padayatra (pilgrimage on foot), to the Sri Mariamman temple in Samayapuram, has highlighted the need to pave a pedestrian lane dedicated throughout the Truchi-Chennam.
Chithirai Festival, Festival Poochorithal (Flower’s Discuss Festival) and Thaipoosam Festival are among the main festivals held in the Sri Mariamman temple. The three main festivals attract large crowds.
The number of devotees, who attended the annual chithirai car festivals about 25 years, was only in thousands. But he gradually rose over the years. According to an approximate estimate, participation in the recent Chithirai Automobile Festival was three Lakh.
Similar was the case at the Poocorital Festival. The festival begins on the last Sunday of the month Tamil of Masi and ends the last Sunday of Panguni. Attracts thousands or devotees. Taking flowers travel to the temple on foot to shower flowers in the goddess. Thaipoosam The festival also attracts a large number or devotees.
The number of devotees, who went to Padayatra to the temple from different parts of the district and the neighboring districts about three decades ago, was nominal. The number of vehicles that navigated in the Touchi-Chennai was less duration of that period. But the situation had witnessed a Seake over the years. There has been exponential growth in the number of devotees, which undertake Padayatra and the population of vehicles.
The devotees, who go to Padayatra, walk day and night along the Touchi-Chennai road and other roads to Samayapuram. People with deep devotion do not care about climatic conditions. In the absence of a dedicated lane for pedestrians, they walk along the way. But the constant increase in the number of devotees, who use extremely occupied roads to reach the temple on foot, has raised the group about their safety.
Ascending accidents
There are a few accidents in which vehicles hit devotees in Padayatra recently fits. Five devotees died when a vehicle hit them in Valampakudi in the District of Thanjavur in July last year.
“The devotees, who undertake Padayatra, barely rest and route, since they want to complete the vote or offer as soon as possible. They could walk in the sea along the national roads in the first breeders. If there is a dedicated pedestrian, they can be dedicated by tea for tea dedicated by the dedicated by which they are dedicated to those dedicated to a place dedicated to tea.
He said that a 10 km stretch between Touchi and Samayapuram had become a danger zone, since devotees from different parts of the southern and western regions culminate on the road in NO. 1 Tollgate to go to the temple. Therefore, in a pilot base, the NHAI must take measures to form a pedestrian route dedicated from the number 1 of Tollgate to Samayapuram.
Published – April 18, 2025 08:34 pm ist