The sharp increase in the number of devotees to the Sri Mariamman temple in Samayapuram has increased nicely when they walked along one of the busiest sections of the national highway near Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: M. Srinath
The exponential increase in the growth of devotees who perform Padayatra (pilgrimage), the temple of Sri Mariamman in Samayapurama, emphasized the need to prepare reserved for pedestrians along the Tiruchi-Chennai motorway between Tiruchi and Samayapuram.
The Chithirai festival, Pochoriithal Festival (Flower Sprinkling Festival) and Thaipoosam Festival are among the main festivals celebrated in the Sri Mariamman temple. All three main festivals attract huge crowds.
The number of devotees who participated in the annual Chithirai car festivals about 25 years ago was just in thousands. But over the years it has gradually increased. According to a gross estimate, participation in the recently closed festival of Chithirai was three lakh.
Similar was the case of the festival Pochorithal. The festival begins on the last Sunday of the Tamil month of Masi and ends on the last Sunday Panguni. It attracts thousands of devotees. They wear flowers that travel to the temple to shower the flowers on the goddess. The Thaipoosam Festival also attracts a large number of devotees.
The number of devotees who went to the temple from different parts of the district and neighboring districts about three decades ago was nominal. The number of vehicles located on Tiruchi-Chennai was smaller during this period. However, the situation has witnessed Seachange over the years. The number of devotees who carry out the Padayatra and the population of the vehicle has exponential growth.
The devotees who go to Padayatra walk day and night along the highway Tiruchi-Chennai and other roads heading to Samayapuram. People with deep devotion do not bother about weather conditions. In the absence of a dedicated pedestrian lane, they walk on the road. However, the constant increase in the number of devotees, who on foot to reach the temple, raised concerns about their safety.
Increasing accidents
In the last past, there have been several accidents in which the vehicles hit Padayatra. Five devotees died when they were hit by a vehicle in Valampakudi in the Thanjavur district last July.
“The devotees who make Padayatra barely take rest because they want to complete a promise or offer as soon as possible. They could be seen walking along the national motorways in the early hours. If there is a specialized pathway for pedestrians, it can go on a pilgrimage without much danger. She happened, “she says there would be a fan. “Janardhanan, an activist on the safety of Bheem Nagar in Tiruch.
He said that the 10 km section between Tiruchi and Samayapuram turned into a dangerous zone, as devoted from various parts of the southern and western regions, culminated on the highway to Tollgate No. 1 to head towards the temple. Therefore, Nhai should take steps to create a pedestrian from No. 1 Tollgate to Samayapuram on a pilot basis.
Published – April 18 2025 20:34
