COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) is operating 390 special buses in view of the Panguni Uthiram festival at Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani in Dindigul district and the Kundam festival at the Bannari Amman Temple in Erode district.According to transport department officials, 240 special buses have been operated since March 30 for the Bannari Amman Temple Kundam festival held at Sathyamangalam on Tuesday. The services cater to passengers from Coimbatore, Tirupur, the Nilgiris and Erode regions. Officials said around 1,100 trips (including both departures and arrivals) were operated as part of the special services.Also, special bus arrangements would be made for the Maru Pooja scheduled to be held at Bannari on April 6, officials added.For the Panguni Uthiram festival in Palani, 150 special buses have been kept ready. With the temple car festival (therottam) scheduled for April 1, around 500 trips are planned from four regions.Officials noted that since April 1 falls on a working day, the crowd from Coimbatore to Palani is expected to be relatively lower. Bus operations would be adjusted based on passenger turnout on Wednesday morning, with additional services kept on standby.The number of devotees undertaking padayatra (foot pilgrimage) from Coimbatore to Palani in view of the Panguni Uthiram festival increased on the Trichy Road and the Pollachi Road. Devotees were walking via Sulur and Sencheriputhur, as well. Officials said drivers had been instructed to operate vehicles slowly and with caution along these pilgrimage routes to ensure the safety of devotees.
