Srikakulam, Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar and SP K.V. Maheswar Reddy explaining to MLA Gondu Shankar about security arrangements at Arasavilli Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple on the eve of Ratha Saptami festival to be celebrated on January 25, 2026. Photo: Special Arrangements
The police department has made unprecedented security arrangements in and around the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple of Arasavilli, Srikakulam, on the eve of the Ratha Saptami festival to be celebrated on Sunday (January 25, 2026).
As many as 15 drones and 180 CC cameras will be used to monitor the movement of pilgrims from Saturday (January 24, 2026) night itself. Although the festival is celebrated on Sunday (January 25), the devotees are keen to participate in Ksheerabhisekham to be performed to the presiding deity on Sunday (January 25), 1 a.m. onwards. The pilgrims will be allowed to stay in queue lines from Saturday (January 24) night itself.
Srikakulam Superintendent of Police K.V. Maheswar Reddy said that as many as six senior officials with additional Superintendent of Police will closely monitor the security arrangements while observing the drones and CCTV footage.
An exclusive command control room has been set up near the temple premises for the close observation of the crowd movement in and around the temple and movement of pilgrims in the queue lines.
The police personnel, including 16 DSPs, 50 Circle Inspectors, and 170 Sub Inspectors, will coordinate the security from 20 sectors. As many as 2500 policemen have been posted in different places of Srikakulam to monitor security as well as traffic.
Srikkaulam Superintendent of Police Swapnil Dinakar directed all revenue, police, municipal and endowment officials to have perfect coordination to ensure hassle free darshan of the Sun God on the auspicious day of Ratha Saptami festival.
Published – January 24, 2026 01:31 pm IST
