MADURAI: Arrangements are under way for the Arudhra darshan at Uthirakosamangai temple in Ramanathapuram district. The two-day festival is scheduled to begin on January 2.

The annual festival assumes significance at the temple, where a six-foot emerald (Maragadha) Nataraj idol, which is usually covered in sandal paste, will be unveiled for public darshan at Mangalanathar Swamy temple in Uthirakosamangai.

To facilitate devotees, the District Administration has made necessary arrangements. With the deployment of the police force, a comprehensive bandobast has been prepared. Accordingly, about a thousand police personnel have been deployed for security duty. Further, for the safety of devotees and their belongings, more than 100 CCTV cameras have been installed and are being monitored continuously. 

For the convenience of devotees visiting the temple on these days, a public transport facility has been arranged by TNSTC. To avoid traffic congestion for those travelling to and from the temple, traffic diversions and alternate routes will be in force, sources said. 

Cars and two-wheelers coming from Madurai and Paramakudi and entering through the Thiru Uthirakosamangai Junction Road will be allowed to proceed towards the temple. To control traffic movements, police personnel were deputed to monitor junction roads in Uthirakosamangai, Puthenthal, Thirupullani, Uthirakosamangai- Mudukulathur and at Ithampadal, sources said.