Tue Apr 22 15:39:24 UTC 2025: ## Tiruvannamalai Gears Up for Chitra Pournami Festival
**TIRUVANNAMALAI, April 22, 2025** – Tiruvannamalai is preparing for a massive influx of pilgrims for the Chitra Pournami festival, scheduled for May 11th and 12th. Authorities expect between 2.5 and 3 million visitors and are implementing extensive logistical and security measures.
Collector K. Tharpagaraj, in a site inspection Tuesday, announced the establishment of over 20 temporary bus termini on the outskirts of the town. Private vehicles will be prohibited from entering the city center to ensure pedestrian safety. Free shuttle services will connect these termini to the Arunachaleswara temple. Approximately 2,500 buses from across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Vellore, and other major cities, will transport pilgrims. Southern Railway will also operate special trains.
To manage the large crowds, 5,000 police personnel, including two DIGs and ten SPs, will be deployed, along with watchtowers at strategic locations. VIP darshan requests will not be accepted, and the usual ₹50 special darshan ticket will be waived, ensuring free entry for all devotees. Special arrangements will be made for senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, including battery-run vehicles for the latter.
The 14-km Girivalam path will be equipped with numerous medical help desks and camps. Sanitation workers from the Tiruvannamalai Corporation and panchayats will maintain cleanliness throughout the town. The Collector emphasized the commitment to providing a safe and orderly environment for all pilgrims.
First Piper 