Tiruchendur temple gears up for Kanda Sashti fest

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister S. Ramesh on Monday said that preparatory arrangements were in full swing for the Kanda Sashti festival, beginning on Tuesday, at Subramanya Swami temple in Tiruchendur.
He said the festival was celebrated on a grand scale every year and it attracted lakhs of devotees. This year, the festival began on Tuesday. The Soorasamharam (annihilation of demon) would be held on Sunday, followed by Thirukalayanam (celestial wedding) on Monday.
With a large number of devotees expected to visit Tiruchendur for the festival, elaborate arrangements were being made to accommodate them.
About one lakh devotees were expected on each of the first five days, while the turnout was likely to increase to six lakh for Soorasamharam event and two lakh for
Thirukalayanam.
Shelters for devotees observing fast were being established at 11 locations with basic amenities including toilets and drinking water. Around 300 temporary toilets were being installed on the temple premises, Four free shuttle bus services would be operated by the temple administration to facilitate the movement of elderly and differently abled devotees.
Drinking water kiosks would be established at more than 10 locations across the temple premises.
In addition, six lakh water bottles, one lakh biscuit packets and snacks would be distributed to devotees waiting in the general and senior citizen queues.
All government departments, including district administration, revenue, HR&CE, police and health, were working in coordination to ensure speedier darshan for devotees visiting Tiruchendur, the Minister said.