With the mercury hovering over 40 degrees Celsius due to the scorching sun and the blazing heat wave, the only respite is from the water kiosks (Chalivendram).
Rayalaseema is known for the tradition of offering buttermilk to visitors and passers-by.
The same system is institutionalised in the form of setting up ‘Chalivendrams’ during the summer months. While the state cabinet has announced Rs.3 crore to Chittoor district for officially setting up ‘Chalivendrams’ at important localities, similar orders issued much earlier by the municipal administration department is yet to see light.
However, several charitable institutions and social activists are already running such centres for over a month.
Supply of drinking water through cans and butter milk in earthen pots bring down the heaven for pedestrians and motorcyclists alike. “We have been arranging water kiosks during summer period for the benefits of pilgrims through Sri Venkata Padmavathi Charitable Trust for several years, ” says N. Chakrapani, a Transport department employee.
The Tirupati Urban police arranged a water spot at the District Police Office recently, when Superintendent of Police Gopinath Jatti issued guidelines to cops on duty to take sufficient drinking water, glucose and butter milk to avoid sunstroke.
Sri Venkateswara University Vice-Chancellor A. Damodaram opened one on the campus on Thursday for the benefit of the visitors.
Though the TTD is busy giving shape to the Chief Minister’s dream of turning Tirupati into a ‘City of Lakes’ by reviving water bodies, it has however failed to realise the short-term needs. While most devotees from Chennai and Vellore walk all the way to Tirumala, there are not many shelters or water kiosks on the route.
The TTD serves drinking water as ‘Jala Prasadam’ at its guest houses, cottages, Alipiri and Srivarimettu trekking routes, but not in public places. “The TTD has to arrange water at railway station, central bus station, Govindaraja and Padmavathi (Tiruchanur) temples till mid-June,” says former civic councillor P. Naveen Reddy.
More kiosks are required in the western suburbs to cater to the pilgrims visiting from Vellore, Anantapuram and Bengaluru side and some at Renigunta Road, Karakambadi Road and Tiruchanur Road areas for those arriving from Nellore, Kadapa and Chennai routes.
TTD has to arrange water kiosks at railway station, central bus station, Govindaraja and Padmavathi (Tiruchanur) temples till mid-June
P. Naveen Reddy
Former councillor
