Mahamaham: Crowds surge with five more days to go

Kumbakonam: With only five more days left for ‘Mahamaham 2016’ festival to conclude, pilgrims and devotees coming to Kumbakonam increased on Wednesday.

Large number of people took bath at Mahamaham tank, Potramarai Kulam and Cauvery river. People were seen everywhere in Kumbakonam town.

Notable personalities who took a holy dip in the tank on Wednesday included Rama Gopalan, Hindu Munnani leader, High Court Judges Justice Rama Surbamani and Justice Vimala.

Officials said that nearly 1,60,000 people bathed in the tank on Tuesday. “The crowd may cross two lakh on Wednesday,” they said.

Meanwhile, some hotels and lodges have increased the price of food items and with only limited rooms available for occupancy, as already lot of people have booked rooms in lodges, room rents have also shot up in some lodges and hotels.

Rent of air-conditioned rooms, which was Rs 2,500, has been increased to Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000. Rent of ordinary rooms, which ranged from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 has now gone up to Rs 2,500.

The cost of food items has escalated too: ‘dosas’ are now sold for Rs 55, against Rs 35 a piece. Meals priced between Rs 60 to Rs 90, now rule higher between Rs 80 to Rs 120.

However, N.Subbaiyan, Thanjavur district collector said that committees have been formed to check the hotels and lodges. “We have strictly informed that hotels and lodges should collect only approved rates based on the facilities available and quality of service. Stern action will be taken against those who collect more than that,” the collector warned.  

He further said that ‘Amma Unavagams’ has doubled the preparations of its food items like ‘idlis’ and variety rice. People can take at prescribed rates at the ‘Unavagams’, he added.