Srimukhalingam Readies for Maha Shivaratri; 80,000 Devotees Expected
MLA directs officials to ensure a smooth four-day festival scheduled from February 15 to 18
Visakhapatnam: Narasannapeta MLA Baggu Ramana Murthy has urged officials to ensure that arrangements for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri celebrations at the historic Srimukhalingeshwara Swamy temple in Srikakulam district are smooth and efficient. Chairing a review meeting on Thursday with RDO K. Sai Prathyusha, he highlighted that no devotee should face any inconvenience during the four-day festival scheduled from February 15 to 18.
Murthy underscored the spiritual significance of Srimukhalingam, referring to it as "Dakshina Kashi," and noted that the temple has been a centre of worship for thousands of years. With nearly 70,000 to 80,000 devotees expected this year, he directed officials to prioritise safety, queue management, sanitation, and visitor guidance. He recommended installing mobile toilets, changing rooms, and a balloon marker outside the village to assist devotees. Panchayat officials were assigned to maintain cleanliness, and discussions also covered fund collection and the distribution of prasadam.
RDO Sai Prathyusha instructed the endowments department to establish proper queue lines. Medical officer Sujatha announced that medical camps would be set up and highlighted the need for an uninterrupted power supply. The fire and transport departments presented their plans for fire safety and parking measures, while the RWS department was tasked with providing drinking water and ensuring a sufficient flow of water into the Vamsadhara River for ritual bathing.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Endowments Department Assistant Commissioner Prasad Patnaik, temple chairman Shivaprasad Padi, Tahsildar Ramarao, and others.
