Preparations are in full swing for Panchalinga Darshana in Talakadu

Talakadu, Karnataka, Nov 9 (UNI) Preparations are in full swing for the Panchalinga Darshana on November 20, held once in 12 years.

The district authorities are leaving no stone unturned in order to provide all facilities to the devotees visiting this small temple town for the ten day event.

Deputy Commissioner S Selva Kumar, told visiting newspersons yesterday that the state government has taken up the upgradation of as many as 311 km of road leading to Talakadu at a cost of Rs 36 crores.

Temples dedicated to Vadyanatheshwara, Pataleshwara, Maruleshawar Keerthi Naryana and Chowdeswari were found among the sand dunes at Talakadu and the Arkeshwara and Mallikarjuna Swamy temples are located at Vijyapura and Mudukthore respectively, both about five km from here.

He said the work was on to construct nearly 1000 temporary sanitation units and provide drinking water facilities to the devotees at various points. Besides temporary sheds for change of clothes near the bathing places including near river Cauvery which was close to the village has been taken up.

Mr Kumar said that as many as five public health centres would be established to take up health care of the devotees.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) would be running more than 300 special buses to Talakadu. It would be running mini buses daily from Talakadu to help devotees to visit all the five temples.

He said that the Department of Energy has taken the task of providing lighting facility in Talakadu and neighbouring villages.

A strong police force of 12,500 would be deployed during the festivities to provide security to the devotees.

Mr Kumar said that in all a total Rs 45 crores would be spent for the Panchalinga Darshana this year.

More than five lakh devotees from all parts of South India had participated in the last Panchalinga Darshana held in 1993.

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