Ratha Saptami Sees Massive Devotee Influx at Arasavalli Sun Temple in Srikakulam
The ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun god, Lord Suryanarayana Swamy, located in Arasavalli, Srikakulam, experienced an extraordinary surge of devotees on Sunday, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Ratha Saptami. This sacred festival, which honors the solar deity, attracted a staggering crowd, creating an unprecedented scene at the historic site.
Unprecedented Crowds and Queue Management Challenges
From the early hours of the morning, extensive queues formed as devotees eagerly awaited darshan of the deity. The temple premises were bustling with individuals seeking blessings through various means:
- Sarva Darshan for general visitors
- Ticket holders with reserved slots
- Donors and special guests
Many devotees had begun waiting since Saturday night, enduring hours of anticipation. However, the overwhelming numbers led to challenging conditions, including jostling and situations reminiscent of stampedes, causing distress among the faithful.
Police Intervention and Safety Measures
Despite the presence of lakhs of devotees in the queue lines, no untoward incidents were reported, thanks to proactive measures by the authorities. The police department, in collaboration with several other departments, implemented a staggered entry system to manage the flow of pilgrims and prevent potential stampedes.
By Sunday afternoon, the heavy rush necessitated the cancellation of all passes and tickets for darshan. In light of the circumstances, the police issued an appeal, urging devotees to avoid visiting the temple with children and elderly persons to ensure their safety.
Devotee Grievances and Administrative Response
Some devotees expressed their frustration by raising slogans against the district administration, citing delays in darshan and the abrupt cancellation of tickets. They voiced feelings of insult, alleging that the police and officials disregarded their valid tickets while allegedly prioritizing visits by political leaders.
In response, Srikakulam District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar and Superintendent of Police KV Maheswar Reddy, along with other officials, engaged with the crowd in an effort to calm the situation and address concerns.
Scale of Devotion and Regional Impact
The police estimated that more than 2.5 lakh devotees from various parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Odisha converged at the temple for darshan. To mitigate risks, authorities requested local residents to schedule their visits for the afternoon, helping to disperse the crowd and reduce congestion.
Political and Religious Offerings
Amid the fervor, notable figures such as Union Minister for Civil Aviation K Rammohan Naidu and Minister for Agriculture K Atchannaidu visited the temple to offer pattuvastrams (sacred cloths) to the presiding deity, highlighting the event's significance in both religious and political spheres.
This incident underscores the deep-rooted devotion associated with Ratha Saptami while raising important questions about crowd management and safety protocols at major religious gatherings in India.
