T’puram: The Thiruvananthapuram district collector and rural SP will be appointed as coordinators to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual Navaratri procession and festivities in the state capital. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by devaswom minister K Muraleedharan to review preparations for the festival.The traditional procession will begin on Oct 9 from Padmanabhapuram Palace in Tamil Nadu. The Saraswati idol, the idol of Devi from Suchindram and the Kumaraswami idol from Kumarakovil, along with the silver horse and the ceremonial sword of the Travancore Maharaja kept at the Padmanabhapuram Palace, will proceed towards Thiruvananthapuram.The procession is scheduled to reach Kuzhithura Sree Mahadeva Temple around 7pm on Oct 9. On Oct 10, the procession will enter Keralam through Kaliyikkavila, where it will receive ceremonial receptions, before proceeding to Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple for an overnight halt.The procession will reach the Navaratri Mandapam in front of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple around 6.30pm on Oct 11. The Saraswati idol will be installed at the Navaratri Mandapam for the Navaratri pooja, while Kumaraswami will be installed at Aryasala and Uditananka Devi at the Chentitta Devi Temple.Officials were also asked to make proper arrangements for accommodation and food for officials from Keralam and Tamil Nadu who will be involved in the conduct of the festivities. The minister directed the authorities to strictly comply with the rules governing the use and management of elephants.Transport minister C P John said KSRTC would operate 65 special services in connection with the festival. Arrangements would also be made to facilitate devotees travelling to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru, Mysuru and Chennai.Tamil Nadu govt officials attending the meeting said all arrangements on their side had been completed. Muraleedharan directed PWD and corporation officials to complete road repair works along the procession route at the earliest.Kerala Police will also accord a guard of honour to the Navaratri procession. The 10-day Navaratri pujas will be held from Oct 12 to 21.
