3 months ago
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Thousands of devotees took portion successful the yearly Sivalaya Ottam, a accepted pilgrimage tally observed each twelvemonth connected Maha Shivaratri.
Devotees from Kanniyakumari territory and neighbouring Kerala voluntarily undertake the ineffable tally arsenic an enactment of devotion. In Sivalaya Ottam (A tally to Shiva temples), devotees sprint from 1 Shiva temple to different crossed the district, covering a full region of astir 100 km and visiting 12 temples.
This pilgrimage follows a circumstantial order, opening astatine Thirumalai Mahadevar temple successful Munchirai, which is astir 10 km from Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. The tally past proceeds to Shiva temples successful Thikkurichi, Thirparappu, Thirunandhikarai, Ponmanai, Pannipaagam, Kalkulam, Melancode, Thiruvidaicode, Thiruvithancode, Thirupanthicode and concludes astatine Thirunattalam.
Before undertaking the run, devotees usually observe a seven-day accelerated successful mentation for Maha Shivratri. Along the route, refreshments, nutrient and h2o are provided to devotees by donors.
Most devotees statesman their tally connected the erstwhile evening of Maha Shivratri and implicit it either connected the time of the festival oregon the pursuing morning. While galore undertake the pilgrimage connected ft successful keeping with tradition, immoderate take to sojourn the 12 Shiva temples wrong a azygous time successful vehicles.
Elaborate arrangements were made for the devotees. Around 1,000 constabulary unit were deployed for information and 44 two-wheeler patrols were deployed. Entry of mineral laden lorries into Kanniyakumari territory was banned connected February 14-15 arsenic a precautionary measure.
