Devotees banned from climbing Arunachala Hills in Tiruvannamalai on Maha Deepam day
Tiruvannamalai District Collector says the decision was taken in view of the heavy rainfall being forecast during Karthigai Deepam celebrations in the region
For the third consecutive year, devotees have been barred from ascending Arunachala Hills near the Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai on Maha Deepam day, scheduled for November 24. District Collector Vandhana Garg disclosed this on Thursday, explaining that the prohibition was imposed due to a forecast of heavy rain. "The decision was made to safeguard the lives of the estimated 50 lakh visitors anticipated to flock to the temple town during the Karthigai Deepam festival," she stated.
Last year, a similar ban was enforced after seven individuals, including children, perished in a landslip triggered by cyclone Fengal in the hills. Consequently, an eight-member expert team, led by Professor K. Premalatha from Anna University, conducted a thorough inspection of the 2,668-foot-high hillock's condition. Following the assessment, revenue officials have issued eviction notices to approximately 1,400 families residing in the area, urging them to vacate their homes for their safety.
"The relocation of residents to temporary shelters in the town will commence in the coming weeks, particularly after Maha Deepam, given the anticipated heavy rains later in November," a revenue official informed. However, the officials clarified that a group of local fishermen, who typically light the lamp atop the hills on Maha Deepam day as part of the Karthigai Deepam festivities, will be permitted to ascend the hills.
"The ritual of lighting the lamp on the hills will continue as per tradition. We will verify the special passes issued to them by the Collector to ensure their climbing privileges on that day," a forest official assured. The fishermen, carrying a 175 kg cauldron, 750 kg of ghee, 10 kg of camphor, and roughly 300 meters of cotton cloth (serving as the wick), will adhere to their customary route for lighting the 'Kopparai'.
Traditionally, about 2,500 individuals received special passes to climb the hills on Maha Deepam day. Nevertheless, the Forest Department opposed this measure in light of the 2024 landslip. Currently, the hills are divided into eastern and western sections, covering a total area of 698.03 hectares. The landslip transpired on the eastern side near the pathway where devotees ascend the hills.
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