Sun Nov 30 23:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

The article reports on the preparations and ongoing Karthigai Deepam festival at the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai, India. The festival, which runs from November 24th to December 7th, culminates in the Maha Deepam on December 3rd, attracting millions of visitors. The article details security measures, transportation arrangements, health services, and sanitation provisions put in place by the district administration to accommodate the large crowds and ensure a safe and comfortable experience for devotees. A large temple car procession already drew 600,000 visitors.

News Article:

Tiruvannamalai Gears Up for Maha Deepam Festival, Expecting Millions

TIRUVANNAMALAI, India – December 1, 2025 – Millions of devotees are expected to converge on Tiruvannamalai this week for the Maha Deepam festival at the Arunachaleswarar temple. The Karthigai Deepam festival, a fortnight-long celebration that began on November 24th, will culminate on December 3rd with the lighting of the Maha Deepam atop the 2,668-foot hillock.

District authorities have implemented extensive measures to ensure the safety and comfort of the anticipated 4 to 4.5 million visitors. Over 15,000 police personnel, including those stationed at 24 watchtowers, will be deployed, and over 1,000 CCTV cameras are in operation. Collector K. Tharpagaraj and SP M. Sudhakar have inspected the area around the temple and the 14-km Girivalam path.

“Safety and convenience of devotees are our top priorities,” stated Collector Tharpagaraj. “We have identified vulnerable spots and implemented extra security protocols.”

To manage the influx of people, 24 temporary bus termini have been set up on the town’s outskirts, capable of parking over 2,300 buses. Nearly 5,000 special buses will operate from various districts, making over 11,000 trips, especially on December 3rd and 4th. Shuttle services will transport visitors from the bus terminals to the Girivalam path and the temple.

Medical support is also being bolstered, with 85 mobile health desks, 45 ambulances (including bike ambulances), and ample water and sanitation facilities. Jute mats will be laid on footpaths to alleviate the heat.

The temple car procession held on Sunday, November 30th, already attracted an estimated 600,000 visitors, highlighting the festival’s immense popularity. Authorities urge visitors to use designated parking areas and utilize the shuttle services to avoid congestion. The festival continues until December 7th.

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