Forest Department mandates online registration for temple festival inside STR

The Forest Department has made online registration mandatory for devotees and vehicles attending the temple festival at Arulmigu Gazalatty Aadhi Karuvannarayar Bomma Deviyar Temple, located in the core zone of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR). The festival will be held from March 1 to 3.

The annual Maasi Magam festival, administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, draws hundreds of devotees from the Uppiliya Naicker community, who mostly arrive in four-wheelers. Citing the ecological impact of large gatherings and in compliance with a Madras High Court order, the Department has issued strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to protect the forest ecosystem while facilitating the event.

Kulal Yogesh Vilas, Deputy Director of STR and District Forest Officer, Sathyamangalam Division, said in a release that registration of individuals and vehicles is compulsory on the portal https://www.sathytiger.tn.gov.in/. Devotees must provide their name, age, mobile number, Aadhaar number and address. A confirmation will be sent via SMS and WhatsApp, which must be shown at the forest checkpost. Limited spot booking will be available at authorised forest checkpoints for those unable to register online.

Applicants must also furnish vehicle number, driver details and passenger count. As per the order, only 100 vehicles a day will be selected through a randomised system for entry.

Cooking and animal sacrifice are permitted only in notified areas to prevent forest fires during the dry season. Devotees must collect garbage bags at the Sujjal Kuttai checkpoint and carry back the waste. Fireworks, flammable materials, loudspeakers and bright LED lights are banned; only traditional instruments are allowed. Bathing in the riverbed and consumption of alcohol are strictly prohibited. Vehicle services will operate from Nandipuram to the temple.

The guidelines were explained to committee members at a recent coordination meeting chaired by the Deputy Director. The over 200-year-old temple is located in the Bhavanisagar Range of the Sathyamangalam Division within the STR.