Poor upkeep of Rathnagiriswarar Temple at Ayyarmalai near Kulithalai in Karur district has irked devotees visiting this sacred hilltop shrine.
The temple, situated at a height of 1,178 feet above ground level, attracts a large number of devotees from different parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. To have darshan of Lord Rathnagiriswarar, devotees either climb 1,017 steep steps or travel by rope car, taking about 90 minutes to reach the temple atop.
Aged devotees take a longer time, and since the steps are steep, they find it extremely difficult to climb. HR&CE Department installed a rope car system a few years ago to facilitate easy access, but devotees complain it operates only between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., forcing them to use steps at other times.
Drinking water is essential for climbing, yet no provision exists along the hillock path. No sanitation facility exists along the route. Except for a few steps from the base, most steps are filled with garbage, puja items, and plastic bags, indicating no regular cleaning system.
K. Murugan from Tiruchi district said, “It is surprising that temple administration has failed to provide drinking water. The environment is dirty. We are disappointed to note poor upkeep.”
Limited rope car operation has dismayed devotees. Service unavailable after 3 p.m., forcing those reaching after this time to return without darshan.
A devotee from Dindigul stated, “Since the rope car was not available in the afternoon, we began climbing at 3 p.m. It took two hours to reach the temple. But by the time we reached there, the temple was closed.”
He demanded temple administration install a standard information board indicating darshan timing and rope car schedule.
This sacred Shiva temple’s neglect disappoints thousands of devoted pilgrims seeking blessings.
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