Artificial bathing facility for devotees

The Cauvery, lifeline of lakhs of people living all along the water course, should be in spate by this day heralding ‘Adi Perukku.’ Thousands of people, especially newly wedded couples, would flock the riverbed to celebrate Adi Perukku to perform special pujas to the Cauvery.

On the contrary, there is absolutely no water in the Cauvery this year. It looks completely dry due to unprecedented drought. With no water in the Cauvery, devotees bank on facilities created by the Tiruchi Corporation at bathing ghats along the riverbed to celebrate Adi Perukku that falls on Thursday.

Sensing sentiments of the devotees, the civic body has taken several steps to meet the basic requirements for performing pujas.

N. Ravichandran, Special Officer-cum-Commissioner, said that special facilities had been provided at Amma Mandapam, Garuda Mandapam, Ayyalamman bathing ghat, Odathurai bathing ghat and Chinthamani bathing ghat for the benefit of devotees.

Two bore-wells were sunk on the Cauvery near Amma Mandapam to pump out water so as to enable the devotees take a bath. Separate showering taps were created for women and men. The number of showers for women was increased to 82 from 48. Similarly, 20 more showers were provided for men.

Mr. Ravichandran said three plastic tanks with a capacity of 1,000 litres each have been placed at vantage points to meet the needs of drinking water. All abandoned clothes and left-over were removed from the river.

Special arrangements have been made to maintain cleanliness at Amma Mandapam and other bathing ghats. A medical camp would be organised from dawn to dusk at Amma Mandapam.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/artificial-bathing-facility-for-devotees/article19412831.ece