As forest fire was reported in Sathuragiri hills on Monday night, Forest Department officials prohibited devotees from climbing up the hill to reach Sundaramahalingam Temple on Tuesday.
However, the fire, which was reported in Saptur range of Srivilliputtur Meghamalai Tiger Reserve, did not deter devotees who had climbed up the hills from offering prayers at the hilltop temple from climbing down. The fire was away from the hilly pathway that led to the temple through Thaniparai near Srivilliputhur, according to a forest official.
After noticing the fire at around 7.30 p.m. the forest officials from Saptur and Watrap ranges started to fight it. Out of the 13,000 devotees who had climbed the hill on Monday in view of Amavasai festival at the temple, almost 10,000 had descended before the fire was noticed. Others who were halfway through the descent, also reached the foothills safely.
“Only around 500 devotees stayed back at the temple. They were not stranded due to the fire but had chosen to stay back,” the officer said.
Though the officials claimed that fire had been brought under control in the morning, forest personnel were still there to monitor as strong wind is expected to stoke the cinders.
As a precautionary measure, the forest officials did not allow over 200 devotees who had gathered at Thaniparai to climb the hills on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department P.K. Sekarbabu on Tuesday said the State government had been monitoring the situation in Sathuragiri hill temple. “The department is in constant touch with the Fire and Rescue Services and Forest Department,” he said.
Addressing presspersons here after flagging off the first religious tour in the Tamil month of Aadi from Kalikambal Temple in Chennai, the Minister said a fire was noticed on Monday evening on the hill after which steps were taken to keep the people atop the hill away from the fire.
“They could not be brought down in the dark, so they were asked to stay safe and on Tuesday morning, they were all brought down to safety. No pilgrim was harmed,” he added.
The Minister said the department would hold discussions with the Fire and Rescue Services and Forest Department on the possibility of creating facilities to fight fires at such hilltop shrines. “The interest in such shrines has increased manifold these days and people keep asking for permission to climb up even when the temples are closed. There is a need to ensure the safety of such ardent devotees too,” he added.
