Navaratri special services: KSRTC to run 65 buses from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chennai to Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: District Collector K.S. Anju and Rural SP Prasanthan Kani B.K. will be appointed as coordinators for the smooth conduct of the Navaratri idol procession and festival. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Devaswom Minister K. Muralidharan to review the preparations.

Fire and Rescue personnel, a medical team from the Health Department and an ambulance should accompany the procession. DJ programmes will not be allowed. Accommodation and food should be arranged for officials from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The minister also directed that the provisions of the law relating to elephant management be strictly followed.

Transport Minister C.P. John said the KSRTC would operate 65 special services. Arrangements will be made to facilitate the travel of devotees from Bengaluru, Mysuru and Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram.

Tamil Nadu government officials said the arrangements had been completed. Minister K. Muralidharan directed PWD and Corporation officials to expedite the repair of roads along the procession route. The Kerala Police will provide a guard of honour to the procession.

On October 9, the idols of Goddess Saraswati from Thevarakkettu at Padmanabhapuram Palace, the Munnuttinanka idol from Suchindram and the idol of Kumaraswamy from Kumarakovil, along with the silver horse and the ceremonial sword of the Travancore Maharaja, will set out in procession.

On October 10, the idol procession will receive receptions at various places after entering Kerala through Kaliakkavilai on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. At around 6.30 p.m. on October 11, the procession will reach the Navaratri Mandapam in front of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Goddess Saraswati will be installed at the Navaratri Mandapam for the Navaratri puja, Kumaraswamy at Aryasala and Munnuttinanka Devi at the Chenthitta Devi Temple. The 10-day puja will be held from October 12 to 21. The return procession will take place on October 23.

M.R. Baiju MLA, Deputy Mayor Ashanath, Travancore Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar, Devaswom Commissioner Sunilkumar and City Police Commissioner Arul R.B. Krishna attended the meeting.