Vavu Bali: TDB making arrangements

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is planning elaborate arrangements for devotees on the Karkkidakavavu day. For the first time, TDB is facilitating offering of ‘vavu bali’ at the Shangumugham Devi Temple.  Arrangements are to be made on a plot adjacent to the temple under the ownership of the TDB, according to a decision taken at a review meeting held here. As the Board is planning to appoint priests, those interested should apply with proof of identity and a clearance certificate approved by a police officer not below the rank of  Sub-Inspector. Area to park vehicles would be allotted. A new ‘pandal’ would be erected at Thiruvallom on a 1,000-square feet area. Anticipating heavy congestion, barricades would be erected and several ticket counters will be constructed on a plot near the Parasurama Temple. Measures would be adopted to tackle water shortage and assure better amenities for the devotees to take a dip.   An information centre will function under the surveillance of a Public Relations Officer and a library under the cultural wing of the Board. The Board will also appoint sufficient number of security personnel and temple priests and 200 daily wage labourers to ensure quality sanitation.  Officers of the rank of Devaswom Commissioner have been deployed as Special Officers at the major ghats at Varkala, Thirumullavaram and Aluva. ‘Vavu bali’ ticketsTickets would be supplied 10 days in advance at the Thiruvallom Parasurama Temple. For the convenience of devotees, tickets would also be supplied at Sreekanteswaram Temple, OTC Hanuman Swami Temple, Palayam, and at the bookstalls of the Board at Puthenchanthai and Nanthancode.