The two-day annual celebrations at Veera Sakka Devi Temple in Paanchaalankurichi commenced on Friday amidst tight police protection. After special deepaaraadhanai, District Judge of Tirupur S. Saravana Perumal hoisted the temple flag to mark the start of celebrations. The devotees also garlanded the statue of Veerapandia Kattabomman in the nearby fort. Following ‘pongal’ and ‘annadhaanam’ on the temple premises, the torches brought from various places were received by the temple committee.
Led by Collector M. Ravikumar, the government officials garlanded the statue of Veerapandia Kattabomman.
Since unpleasant incidents happened in the past during the temple festival, elaborate security arrangements had been made this year after the district administration had clamped prohibitory orders. Led by Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Abhay Kumar Singh, police had made elaborate security arrangements at Paanchaalankurichi. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tirunelveli Range, S. Murugan, Superintendent of Police Ashwin Kotnis and senior police officers had camped at Paanchaalankurichi.
Over 2,000 policemen had been deployed in and around Paanchaalankurichi and all vehicles entering the hamlet were thoroughly checked.
Since permission had been denied for conducting Kottai Karuppasamy Temple festival, the dalits had hoisted black flags in their houses at Governagiri and Sundaralingam Colony.
