Govt looking at shifting Athivarathar idol to bigger place: TN

Facing flak over 'poor arrangements' for devotees thronging a temple in Kancheepuram for worshipping Lord Athivarathar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said the government was looking at the feasibility of shifting the idol of the deity to a bigger place to manage the burgeoning crowd.

Four devotees had died on Friday at the Devarajaswamy temple in Kancheepuram, about 70 km from Chennai, which has been witnessing heavy rush of devotees to have darshan of the deity's idol made of fig wood, called "athi' in Tamil began, on July 1 after it was taken out from the temple tank on June 27.

Four devotees died last week after darshan of Lord Athivaradhar, a deity taken out from under the water once in 40 years, with Palaniswami informing the Assembly that they had 'pre-existing' health conditions.

"Yesterday a meeting of Ministers, Secretaries of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Local Administration, Health and Revenue departments were held. In that meeting, issues faced by devotees who come to visit the temple were discussed. It was also discussed whether the idol can be shifted to a bigger place to manage the crowd," he told reporters here.

The 48-day "Athivaradar festival" has been drawing huge crowds, including women and senior citizens, since the first day. President Ram Nath Kovind offered prayers to the deity on July 12.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary K Shanmugam and DGP J K Tripathy took stock of the situation at Kancheepuram on Sunday.

Briefing reporters, Shanmugam said various measures were taken to control the crowd which include appointment of 1,000 volunteers, increasing number of medical teams and use of battery-operated vehicles for senior citizens.

"Some of the steps that have been directed (to the local administration) is use of wheelchairs. From the existing 800 numbers it will be increased to 1,500 for senior citizens," he said.

Shanmugam said though medical teams are already present at locations near the temple, it has been directed to increase the number particularly near the exit gate of the temple.

Noting that large number of vehicles have been parked on the roads leading to traffic congestion, he said it was also directed to set up temporary parking facilities.

"For the benefit of senior citizens visiting the temple, battery operated cars will be used. If required, the use of share autos will be made," he said.

He said officials have been directed to audit fire safety measures on a daily basis.