THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All arrangements are in place for the Attukal pongala offering on March 2, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday after a review meeting.
The government has also declared a regional holiday for Thiruvananthapuram on March 2. Amenities, including potable water, are being arranged in the 31 wards surrounding the Attukal Devi Temple, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said after the meeting. The remaining work would be completed by February 25. As many as 1,260 public taps and 50 showers for women have been arranged. Water tankers from other taluks will be deployed in the city during the festival. KSRTC and the railways will conduct special services for the pilgrims.
In a bid to ensure security of the pilgrims, the government has decided to deploy 3,600 police personnel. Of this, more than half will be women officers. The Health Department will deploy special squads and install temporary healthcare facilities at the venue. The government has also decided to observe green protocol for the festivities.
Since it is the exam season, there will be strict controls on the use of loud speakers in connection with the festival, the government said. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board will deploy special squads to monitor noise pollution.
This year’s Pongala festival will be held from February 22 to March 3. The famed Pongala offering will be made on March 2. The ‘Kappuketti Kudiyiruthu’ ceremony will be held on February 22.
The Kuthiyottam and Purathezhunellippu will be held on March 2, after the Pongala offering. Curtains will fall on the 10-day festivities with the Kuruthitharpanam at 12.30 am on March 4. LSG Minister K T Jaleel, Mayor V K Prasanth, MLAs O Rajagopal and V S Sivakumar, Deputy Mayor Rakhi Ravikumar, District Collector K Vasuki, department officials and temple trust officials attended the review meeting.