<p>Mysuru: Melkote, the Vaishnava pilgrimage centre in Pandavapura taluk in Mandya district, is gearing up for the annual Vairamudi Utsava, scheduled to be held between April 2 to 14.</p><p>Mandya District in-charge Minister N Chaluvaraswamy has directed the officials concerned to take all steps for the smooth conduct of the festival that attract devotees from across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. </p><p>Addressing a preparatory meeting of the officials in Mandya last week, the minister said that the highest number of devotees on April 7 visit Melkote and hence proper arrangements should be made.</p>.Kerala's Sivagiri mutt to launch stir seeking entry of non-Hindu believers to Guruvayur temple.<p>“As the state, including Melkote, is experiencing high temperatures, the devotees should be provided adequate drinking water at all places in Melkote, besides other basic amenities. Food safety officials should be deployed, to test the quality of water, prasada and mass feeding food, to be certified safe for distribution,” he said.</p><p>Melkote MLA Darshan Puttanniah said all roads connecting the temple town should be repaired on a war footing for the smooth flow of vehicular traffic. </p><p>Police personnel should be deployed at vehicles parking lots, for regulation and also assistance, he added.</p><p>“Drinking water should be available around the temple, at parking lots and all public places, like bus stand, where devotees are expected to gather. Signboards should be installed around the temple, to show direction to the Dasoha Bhavana, where mass feeding is done. Proper barricading should be done, to regulate the movement of devotees. Clean all water bodies, including Kalyanis, and provide proper lighting around the temple. If required, install additional transformers temporarily,” he said.</p><p>Deputy Commissioner Kumara said CCTV cameras are being installed as a permanent measure for safety, around the temple at a total cost of Rs 19 lakh. </p><p>"Its control room will be set up at the office of the temple executive officer. Expert divers should be deployed near water bodies. Lighting should be provided near Kalyanis and temporary changing rooms should be provided for women devotees," he said.</p><p>Mandya MLA P Ravikumar, Superintendent of Police Mallikajuna Baldandi, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K R Nandini, Additional DC B C Shivanandamurthy and Assistant Commissioner Srinivas discussed the steps to be taken for a smooth conduct of the annual religious event at Melkote.</p>
<p>Mysuru: Melkote, the Vaishnava pilgrimage centre in Pandavapura taluk in Mandya district, is gearing up for the annual Vairamudi Utsava, scheduled to be held between April 2 to 14.</p><p>Mandya District in-charge Minister N Chaluvaraswamy has directed the officials concerned to take all steps for the smooth conduct of the festival that attract devotees from across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. </p><p>Addressing a preparatory meeting of the officials in Mandya last week, the minister said that the highest number of devotees on April 7 visit Melkote and hence proper arrangements should be made.</p>.Kerala's Sivagiri mutt to launch stir seeking entry of non-Hindu believers to Guruvayur temple.<p>“As the state, including Melkote, is experiencing high temperatures, the devotees should be provided adequate drinking water at all places in Melkote, besides other basic amenities. Food safety officials should be deployed, to test the quality of water, prasada and mass feeding food, to be certified safe for distribution,” he said.</p><p>Melkote MLA Darshan Puttanniah said all roads connecting the temple town should be repaired on a war footing for the smooth flow of vehicular traffic. </p><p>Police personnel should be deployed at vehicles parking lots, for regulation and also assistance, he added.</p><p>“Drinking water should be available around the temple, at parking lots and all public places, like bus stand, where devotees are expected to gather. Signboards should be installed around the temple, to show direction to the Dasoha Bhavana, where mass feeding is done. Proper barricading should be done, to regulate the movement of devotees. Clean all water bodies, including Kalyanis, and provide proper lighting around the temple. If required, install additional transformers temporarily,” he said.</p><p>Deputy Commissioner Kumara said CCTV cameras are being installed as a permanent measure for safety, around the temple at a total cost of Rs 19 lakh. </p><p>"Its control room will be set up at the office of the temple executive officer. Expert divers should be deployed near water bodies. Lighting should be provided near Kalyanis and temporary changing rooms should be provided for women devotees," he said.</p><p>Mandya MLA P Ravikumar, Superintendent of Police Mallikajuna Baldandi, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K R Nandini, Additional DC B C Shivanandamurthy and Assistant Commissioner Srinivas discussed the steps to be taken for a smooth conduct of the annual religious event at Melkote.</p>