Srirangam residents seek street lights beneath outer gopurams in the temple town

The Rajagopuram and other main gopurams glitter with serial lights but the area beneath becomes dark once the traders shut shop, say residents.
| Photo Credit: R. Selvamuthukumar

Amid heavy turnout of devotees to Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, residents of the temple town of Srirangam have sought installation of lights on the passages beneath the outer gopurams around the shrine as a safety measure.

Provision of lights beneath the outer gopurams had been a felt need, which should be addressed by the authorities concerned at the earliest when the ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi’ festival is being celebrated at the temple attracting devotees in large numbers, say the residents. 

A case in point was the ‘Therkku Vaasal (south gate) stretch which witnesses heavy movement of devotees till the late night hours.  The problem arises once the traders along this long stretch shut shop rendering it dark, says Suresh Venkatachalam, president, Srirangam Nagaranala Sangam. 

Devotees from various parts of Tamil Nadu as well as those from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Telangana besides those from north India visit the temple all through the year. Their footfall rises significantly during the 22-day Vaikunta Ekadasi festival.  In view of the ongoing festival, the outer portions of the Rajagopuram and other main gopurams are glittering with colourful serial lighting. The authorities concerned should provide lighting beneath the outer gopurams keeping in mind the safety of devotees, said Mr. Venkatachalam. 

Provision of lights beneath the outer gopurams on all four directions should be done on a permanent basis either by the temple authorities or the Corporation.  Mr. Suresh Venkatachalam said the street lights in the temple town were switched off before the crack of dawn when the atmosphere remains foggy during the current ‘Margazhi’ month. The Tangedco authorities could switch off the street lights when visibility becomes clear.