Latest news with #Arunachaleswara
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Key stretch near Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai to be widened
The State Highways will soon widen the existing narrow Tiruvannamalai Road near Arunachaleswara temple in the town to provide more road space especially for ambulances, government buses and school vans on the route. Officials of State Highways said that the narrow stretch is a key route to connect surrounding villages with the town. It also provides a short route for long distance travellers and pilgrims to reach the town, especially the 14-km-long Girivalam Path and the temple. 'The stretch near the road over bridge, will be widened to provide more road space for motorists and pedestrians. Adequate land on both sides of the bridge will be acquired for the purpose,' S. Anbarasu, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), State Highways (Tiruvannamalai), told The Hindu. Widening work will be funded under the Chief Minister Road Development Project (CMRDP). The stretch will be widened from the existing seven metres to 10.5 metres to utilize the unused road space and will acquire private land. The work will be done in coordination with Tiruvannamalai Corporation, police and Tangedco as key water pipelines from Sathanur dam for domestic consumption within the civic body passes through the stretch. 'During rush hour, school vehicles, government buses and office goers find it difficult to navigate the narrow carriageway, resulting in traffic congestion. The widening of the stretch is a welcome measure,' said P. Bhaskan, secretary, Tiruvannamalai All Traders' Association. As part of land acquisition for the work, Collector K. Tharpagaraj chaired a meeting with stakeholders including officials from Revenue Department, State Highways, Corporation, police to fasten the process and compensate affected families on the route. Highway officials said that 1.90 of land should be acquired on both sides of the stretch to widen it. Except for a few government buildings like the market committee building, most of the land is owned by private individuals. As per plan, the stretch will be widened to a distance of 425 metres especially below the bridge to allow vehicles to navigate easily within the town. The existing narrow storm water drain on both sides of the stretch will be widened to discharge excess rainwater and prevent inundation of the town during monsoon. Each drain will be three feet wide and four feet deep. Tiled footpaths will be laid on the widened drain to allow pedestrians to use the space rather than walking on the carriageway. Also, separate space, which measures 50 cm wide, between the drain and carriageway is being laid with pavement blocks for utility works including electrical lines and internet cables. It will prevent unnecessary road cutting works to attend to any fault in these lines on the stretch. The entire work will start in the coming months.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- The Hindu
Southern Railway plans to convert Tiruvannamalai railway station into PFTR terminal
The Southern Railway has proposed a plan to convert the existing railway station in Tiruvannamalai town intoa platform train examination (PFTR) terminal to conduct basic safety checks and civic maintenance of long-distance trains including replenishing water supplies and cleaning the coaches. Officials of the Southern Railway, which has spearheaded the project, said that the British era railway station was restored under the Station Redevelopment Project. The project aims to provide better passengers amenities with airport-like features, including separate arrival and departure corridors, bright LED illumination, hassle-free access to platforms through escalators, lifts and skywalks and a rainwater harvesting system. 'The proposed terminal of the Tiruvannamalai railway station will help pilgrims visiting the Arunachaleswara temple easily as more long-distance trains will halt at the railway station,' a railway official told The Hindu. 'Railway officials said that as per plan, the railway station will be developed as PFTR terminal, which takes care of maintenance of all trains including Shatabdis, Intercities and double decker trains. It also includes rolling in and rolling out of trains at the railway station, where movement of trains will be checked by railway engineers as part of safety checks. Brake release and axle box examinations will also be done at the proposed terminal to ensure safety of commuters. The proposed terminal will also take care of civic amenities in trains such as water supply, lighting, and cleanliness, including disinfecting of coaches. 'The proposed terminal will convert the railway station into a busy transport hub for the temple town due to its proximity to the new bus terminus and arterial roads,' said B. Sampath, a trader. Railway officials said that two factors necessitated the formation of a new terminal at Tiruvannamalai railway station. First, the existing PFTR terminal at Villupuram railway station has become congested due to the increasing number of trains coming to the station. This had resulted in operational delays and late arrival of trains at Villupuram railway station. Secondly, there has been a growing demand for additional trains to accommodate long distance travellers, who are on pilgrimage to the town. This is another reason for the proposed terminal project at the railway station, which will have four rail lines to ensure smooth operation of trains. At present, Tiruvannamalai railway station handles around 15 trains, mostly express and passenger trains, and over 8,000 passengers every day on its three platforms.
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
God kindles your quest
Knowledge is power, but what is the use of acquiring it without letting go of worldly pleasures? One will keep repeating the cycle of births and rebirths, with no lasting peace or true realisation. Knowledge alone is not enough to bring inner peace, rather it will become a mental burden, said Ramanacharana Tirtha Swami (Nochur). Plants have life, as do birds, but what is the use of living like that? Man, who alone among creation has the ability to discern, should nurture the thirst for knowledge and moksha and seek the company of sages in order to be instructed on truth. Only then will such a person's life be fulfilled. This Brahma Gnanam of realisation of the Lord is hidden inside the human mind. Great souls attain this knowledge of Brahman by focusing their minds on God, and distancing themselves from the clutter of a material world. In Vivekachudamani, Adi Sankara emphasises this, saying, 'Jantu nam nara janmam dhurlabam..'. To be born as a human being is a rare gift and one should utilise it for spiritual progress and not misspend it in chasing impermanent goals that gratify only the senses and do nothing to uplift the soul. Ramana Maharshi had attained that inner peace and detachment, when very young. The Maharshi famously said, 'Pazhiyil vizhadha Ezhaiai Kaathu un padhathil niruthiveithanaye, azhiyaam karunai vallale Arunachaleswara.' (You saved me from falling into the pit, and kept me close to you, Arunachaleswara, Oh ocean of kindness). Such was the enlightenment achieved by this great soul who knew that the only purpose of human life is self-realisation. When one turns one's mind towards higher things, God Himself steps up to help such a person. As Krishna says in the Gita, 'I will kindle the quest for Brahma Gnanam in those who repose faith in me.'
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- The Hindu
Man held for stealing from hundi in Arunachaleswara temple
A 41-year-old man was arrested for stealing ₹5,000 cash from a hundi in Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai town on Sunday. Police said the arrested person was identified as P. Sabarinathan, a native of Tiruvarur. Initial inquiry revealed that Sabarinathan has been on pilgrimage to various temples in the State for the past few weeks. He came to Tiruvannamalai town to visit the temple a few days ago. As the temple was witnessing a huge crowd, he noticed that the hundis in the temple premises were getting filled up quickly. He also saw that the temple authorities and police are busy regulating crowds in the temple. Police said that he saw one of the hundis in the temple where donations, especially cash by devotees, were overflowing and spilt. He pretended to donate money in the hundi and robbed around ₹5,000 cash from it. Immediately, other devotees noticed the theft. They alerted temple authorities and police, who rushed to the spot. The stolen cash was recovered from him, and Tiruvannamalai town police registered a case. He was arrested and lodged at the sub-jail in the town. A probe is underway.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- The Hindu
Re-laying of roads with concrete on Mada Streets to be completed by July
The final phase of work to convert the potholed Mada Streets around Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai into concrete stretches will be completed by July. Officials of the State Highways, which executes the ₹15-crore work, said that laying concrete on the roads, including the Theradi Veethi and Thiruvoodal street, will provide a much-needed relief to devotees. 'The new concrete stretches will provide safe walking spaces for pilgrims. Road digging will be minimal as separate ducts are being laid for utility cables,' S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu. Forming a part of the 14-km-long girivalam path, 1.7 km-long Mada Streets witness 20,000 visitors on an average every day. During weekends and holidays, the footfall doubles in the temple town. These stretches connect the temple with the rest of the town. As part of celebrations during the Karthigai Deepam festival, the temple car is pulled through these stretches. Funded under the Chief Minister Road Development Project (CMRDP) 2024-25, the streets are being widened from the existing seven metres to 12 metres to utilise the unused road space. The work has been done in coordination with the civic body, police and Tangedco. The existing narrow storm water drain on the stretches is being widened to discharge excess rainwater and prevent inundation during the monsoon. Each drain is three feet wide and four feet deep. Tiled footpaths will be laid over the widened drain for pedestrians who otherwise has to walk on the carriageway. Also, a separate space of 50-cm width, between the drain and the carriageway is being laid with pavement blocks for utility works such as electrical lines and internet cables. This will prevent unnecessary road cutting to attend to any fault in these lines. Officials said that the reason behind the re-laying of the streets into concrete stretches was for its long lifespan as concrete roads can stay undamaged for at least two decades as against three years for bitumen roads. Earlier, the Mada streets were re-laid with bitumen every year during the festival.
