Stage set for Navratra festival

Sanjay Bumbroo
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, October 9

To avoid stampede and to facilitate the smooth movement of devotees during the 9-day Navratra fair held twice ayear at Mansa Devi Temple here, the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board has decided to construct double corridor between the old temple and the Patiala Temple.

Disclosing this, Chief Executive Officer SP Arora said the project had been given a green signal after the estimates worth Rs 3 crore had been approved by the state government. He said after the completion of the project, devotees would not have to face extreme weather conditions while standing in the queue. He said LED lights and stainless steel grills would also be installed in the corridor.

Arora said the board had also decided to set up ‘vatika’ (park) at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore on the dry drain passing in the area to make the entire area environment friendly. He said the Bridges and Roads Department, Haryana, would fund the entire project. At present, passers-by used to throw plastic bags or other unwanted material in the drain emanating foul smell. He said the park would also have the parking facility that would add to the total parking area near the shrine.

Arora said the foundation stone of both projects would be laid by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on the first day of the Navratra fair beginning tomorrow. He said the CM would also inaugurate the stairs and sheds renovated at a cost of Rs 50 lakh from the main gate up to the temple entrance.

He said the small rivulet, “Baan Ganga”, had also been renovated and arrangements had been made for continuous water circulation, besides installing trees on both sides of the rivulet. The project had been financed by the corporate and the State Bank of India.

The CEO said elaborate arrangements had been made so that devotees do not face any problem in paying obeisance at the historic shrine. The police had also made security arrangements. As many as 750 policemen, including 6 DSPs, 12 duty magistrates and 18 protocol officers, have been deputed around the complex.

He said 32 additional CCTV cameras had also been installed in and around the shrine complex to keep a check on anti-social elements. Arrangements for safe drinking water and temporary dispensaries have also been made near the shrine. A special counter has been set up for senior citizens and differently abled persons near the entrance gate. Golf carts and vehicles have also been made available to ferry them to the shrine.

He said in view of the parking problem at historic Kali Mata Temple at Kalka, the administration has also decided to run about 20 e-rickshaws to carry devotees from the Kalka bus terminal to the shrine. Kali Mata Temple is located at the Kalka-Parwanoo border. The shrine is located in the busy market. So, devotees face problems in parking their vehicles as there is hardly any parking space near the shrine.

Khattar to open renovated stairs

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will also inaugurate the stairs and sheds renovated at a cost of Rs 50 lakh from the main gate up to the temple entrance.