As the 'Aadi' festival brings massive crowds to Tiruvannamalai, devotees are calling for round-the-clock police presence on the Girivalam path to prevent crimes and ensure safety during night walks.

Key Takeaways

  • Devotees are requesting continuous police patrolling on the Girivalam path to deter petty crimes.
  • The 'Aadi' festival has led to a surge of over one lakh visitors daily to Tiruvannamalai.
  • The State Highways Department is actively demolishing encroachments along the 9km route.
  • Recent criminal attempts have heightened fears regarding safety during early morning and late night walks.

Tiruvannamalai: Residents and pilgrims at the sacred Arunachaleswarar Temple are urging authorities to deploy special police teams for round-the-clock patrolling on the Girivalam Path. The demand stems from growing concerns over the safety of devotees, particularly during the late-night and early-morning hours when many walk the path for spiritual purposes.

With the onset of the 'Aadi' festival season, the town has seen a massive influx of pilgrims, especially from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Devotee G. Pavithra noted that since the path remains open 24/7, a strengthened police presence is vital to safeguard visitors from potential criminal activities.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that managing large-scale religious gatherings requires a dual approach: infrastructure management and proactive law enforcement. While the removal of encroachments improves movement, the lack of visible security can undermine the confidence of pilgrims, potentially impacting the town's religious tourism ecosystem.

Round-the-clock patrolling is essential to maintain public order and prevent the rise of opportunistic crimes during peak festival seasons.

The urgency of this demand was highlighted following a June incident where a six-member gang was arrested for attempting to sexually assault a young woman on the path. While the State Highways Department, under the direction of District Collector Vandana Garg, is currently demolishing illegal structures to clear the route, devotees argue that physical clearance must be accompanied by human security.

Historical Background

The Girivalam path circles the holy Arunachala Hill, a site of immense significance in Shaivism. The act of circumambulating the hill is believed to bring spiritual liberation, making the path one of the most frequented pilgrimage routes in South India.

Did You Know?: During the peak 'Aadi' season, Tiruvannamalai witnesses a staggering influx of more than 100,000 visitors every single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is the police patrolling being requested now?
A: Due to the increased crowd during the 'Aadi' festival and recent security lapses involving criminal attempts.

Q2: What is being done about encroachments on the path?
A: The State Highways Department is conducting a demolition drive to remove illegal structures and eateries from the path.