CHENNAI: Shoppers preparing for Ayudha Pooja will be able to buy traditional pooja essentials at a special market opening at the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex on Wednesday, with the facility remaining operational until October 23, ahead of the festival on October 19.

The market, organised by the Koyambedu Market Management Committee, will occupy 15 acres of parking space at the foodgrains market. It will cater to households, shops, offices, factories and other establishments looking to purchase items for the annual festival, when tools, machinery, vehicles and work equipment are traditionally cleaned and worshipped.

The range of commodities will include aval (flattened rice), pori (puffed rice), banana saplings, festoons, pumpkins and other pooja essentials. The 10-day window will give consumers additional time to complete their festive shopping rather than having to make purchases on the eve of the festival.

Ahead of the opening, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority Chief Executive Officer S P Karthikaa chaired a coordination meeting with officials from the market management committee, police, fire and rescue services, Greater Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metro Rail Ltd, besides trader representatives.

Signboards will be installed at prominent locations to help shoppers locate the special market, while announcements through loudspeakers will provide information to visitors.

The committee will arrange drinking water and toilet facilities for shoppers and traders. Officials will also be deployed in shifts to monitor the premises and regulate vehicle movement to prevent congestion in and around the complex.

The arrangements are intended to facilitate festive shopping and provide traders with designated space to sell seasonal commodities.