TIRUCHY : Roads leading to Samayapuram are aglow with decorative lights and the place is buzzing with devotees eagerly awaiting the consecration of the famous Sri Mariamman temple that takes place on Monday.
Traders are busy setting up makeshift shops hoping to make a fortune out of the event, expected to be receive lakhs of devotees from across the State.
The renovation works, taken up at the temple at a total cost of Rs 25 crore, is almost complete. The State government through HR & CE department commissioned renovation works in July, 2010. As part of it, the outer prakaram has received a facelift at a cost of Rs 4.9 crore.
A separate shrine for Lord Vinayakar in the Southeast corner and a Navaratri Mandapam next to it are the noteable additions. In the northeast corner, a dedicated shrine for Abisheka Ambal has been built along with a Vasantha Mandapam.
A five-tier Rajagopuram has been built in the eastern entrance at a cost of Rs 87 lakh. In addition to the East and West gates, which hitherto used to be the entry points to the temple, a new entrance has been opened up in the Southern side costing Rs 20.90 lakh.
Ahead of Monday’s consecration, wooden stairs have been installed to enable priests reach top the gopuram for performing poojas to the kalasams. Since lakhs of devotees are expected to throng the temple, a dedicated parking lot has been created at Aatusanthai grounds near the temple.
The rituals would begin at 4 am on Monday. Yagasalai pooja commenced on Friday with water from holy rivers being used.