Arasavalli gears up for grand Rathasaptami celebrations

The district administration is making elaborate arrangements for the upcoming Rathasaptami celebrations at Lord Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli, scheduled from February 2 to 4. District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar, during a review meeting with senior officials, spoke about the diverse cultural programmes, grand processions, and spiritual events planned for the festival. He emphasised the need for seamless coordination between all departments to ensure the smooth execution of the festivities.
The Rathasaptami festivities will commence with mass Surya Namaskars, followed by a vibrant array of rural sports, including volleyball, karrasamu, sangidi, bullock cart races, and weightlifting, all set to take place at the Municipal High School grounds. A dazzling fireworks display at the Dutch Building is also planned to add a touch of excitement to the celebrations.
For the first time, helicopter rides are being offered. The designated helicopter site has been inspected, and rigorous safety measures have been implemented. Emphasis has been placed on strict adherence to aviation regulations, with ticket bookings available through an official website. Logistical arrangements, including efficient transportation to the helipad and well-equipped waiting areas for passengers, have been prioritised.
Anticipating a large turnout of over 3.5 lakh devotees at the Arasavalli Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, the State Tourism Department has introduced a new tourism package to promote other significant temples in the region. This package, priced at Rs 750 per person, will cover prominent sites like the Srikurmanatha Swamy Temple of Srikurmam, Endala Mallikarjuna Temple of Ravivalasa, Salihundam Buddhist site, and Mogadalapadu beach.
The district police have implemented a comprehensive security and traffic management plan. Speaking to the media, SP Maheshwara Reddy stressed the importance of maintaining peace and order, ensuring a smooth and safe experience for all devotees. He outlined key guidelines, including information on queue lines, designated parking areas, and routes for arrival and departure. Traffic diversion measures, crowd control, and the locations for various cultural events have been clearly communicated to the public through informative posters.
For the Ratha Saptami darshan, devotees can avail tickets at ?300 for one person and ?500 for two people. Devotees with special donor and ‘Ksheera Abhishekam’ tickets are advised to adhere to their allotted time slots for darshan. Authorities have urged all devotees to cooperate fully with the police and follow traffic diversion plans. Utilising designated parking spaces and adhering to the rules is crucial for the successful and peaceful organisation of the Rathasaptami celebrations.
________________