A Rs 4.72 crore modern queue complex on the lines of the Vaikuntam queue complex at Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala was today inaugurated at the famous Lord Saneeswarar (Saturn) temple at Tirunallar in the district, thronged by devotees from across the country.
Declaring open the facility, Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy said the queue complex had been constructed in such a way to make the process of waiting for darshan a pleasant experience for the devotees.
Seeking to exploit pilgrim tourism potential of Tirunallar, the Union Territory government had decided to develop it on the models of Tirupati-Tirumala and launched a mega project in 2009 to cater to the needs of thousands of pilgrims visiting the temple from across the country.
The number of pilgrims crosses more than one lakh on special occasions such as transition of planet Saturn, worshipped as Saneeswara, from one zodiac sign to another, which takes place once in every two-and-half years.
The project is being executed by the Central Public Works Department in phases using loan assistance from HUDCO. Presently, the second phase is underway at a cost of Rs 100 crore and the queue complex has been built under it.
The queue complex has facilities such as resting sheds, toilets, purified drinking water dispensers, shopping outlets and information desks, he said adding the government was also planning to provide air-conditioning facility.
Rangasamy also laid the foundation for construction of a Yatri Niwas and a food court at Tirunallar.
