Devotees banned from climbing Arunachala Hills on Maha Deepam day
District Collector Vandhana Garg cited heavy rain forecasts as the reason for prohibiting devotees from climbing the hills in Tiruvannamalai.
Devotees are banned from climbing the Arunachala Hills near the Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai on the occasion of Maha Deepam on November 24, according to The Hindu. This marks the third consecutive year for the ban.
District Collector Vandhana Garg told reporters on Thursday that the decision was taken to ensure the safety of lives following forecasts for heavy rain. Around 50 lakh devotees are expected to visit the temple town during the Karthigai Deepam festival.
The ban follows a 2024 incident where seven people, including children, died in a landslip triggered by cyclone Fengal. An eight-member expert team led by Professor K. Premalatha of Anna University assessed the 2,668-foot-high hillock and submitted a report to the State government.
Revenue officials have issued eviction notices to approximately 1,400 families living in the hills to vacate their houses. A revenue official stated that relocation to temporary shelters in the town will occur in the coming weeks, particularly after Maha Deepam.
A group of local fishermen will be allowed to climb the hills to perform the traditional ritual of lighting the lamp atop the hills. A forest official said the ritual will continue and they will check special passes issued by the Collector.
The fishermen will use a 175 kg cauldron, 750 kg of ghee, 10 kg of camphor, and 300 metres of cotton cloth to light the Kopparai. They will follow the traditional trekking route used for generations.