Arrangements in place for annual Gangapuri Jatara in Mancherial

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the two-day Gangapuri Jatara at Sri Balaji Venkateshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Gangapur village from January 31. Around one lakh devotees are expected, with security, sanitation and transport facilities put in place for smooth conduct.

Mancherial: Elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the two-day long annual festivities of Sri Balaji Venkateshwara Swamy Devasthanam at Gangapur village known as Gangapuri Jatara. The jatara is slated to be celebrated from January 31 to February 1.

Officials said that drinking water, 25 temporary toilets, and a lighting system were created, besides pressing 200 sanitation workers to keep the premises tidy. Security was stepped up to prevent untoward incidents deploying 100 policemen. Parking lots and queue lines were formed. Barricades were put in place to avoid stampedes. CCTV cameras were installed to keep a tab on trouble makers.

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According to organizers, the main event, the celestial wedding of Lord Balaji with Padmavati would be performed on Saturday. Public representatives and officials are going to present at the event. Rathotsavam, a big draw of the fair, was going to be held on Sunday evening. Festive idols are carried in the chariot. Hundreds of devotees participate in the event.

Around one lakh devotees belonging to several parts of the district and neighboring Maharashtra are expected to take part in the fair. They would take a holy dip in a stream before taking darshan of the deity and perform special prayers.

Meanwhile, the TGRTC would operate special buses from Asifabad, Gangapur and Mancherial to Gangapur village. Officials urged the public to utilize the facility.

The temple, believed to have been built in the 16th century, is situated on a hillock on the banks of a picturesque stream.