In a boon to devotees thronging the famous Chathuragiri hill temple, located among the dense forests in the Western Ghats in the district, Tamil Nadu Government has decided to make the arduous pathway leading to it safer and provide amenities at a cost of Rs ten crore.
Revenue Minister R P Udhayakumar, Information and Programme implementation K T Rajendra Balaji and Forest Minister M.S.M.Anandhan visited the hills and discussed the development works to be undertaken as well as already under implementation, an official release said here today.
Thousands of devotees visit the Sundaramahalinga Swamy Temple during the New moon and Full moon days every month,and the crowd would swell to lakhs during Adi and Thai Amavasyas and Chithra fullmoon day.
The hill is also called as "Siddargal boomi" as 18 Siddha Purushas (yogic saints) used to live there.
As the number of devotees visiting the hill increased every month, there had been a demand from the people to increase the amemities in the temple,even as the environmentalists objected to the same.
With the government deciding to provide basic amenities at a cost of Rs.10 crore, the first of phase of development work has started.
Under the scheme the Pathway to the temple would be made "easy and safe" with barricades provided at slippery points.
Whereever the path is very steep,steps would be provided without damaging the hill. Besides rain shelters and solar powered motor pumps would be provided for drinking water purpose. The works would be completed in nine months. Top forest officials including Forest Secretary V K M Milkani briefed the ministers about the work.
