The plantation of one lakh saplings along the Girivalam path of Thoranamalai Murugan Temple commenced on Monday morning as part of a major green initiative by the temple administration.
Thoranamalai Murugan Temple is located on the Tenkasi–Kadayam Road. Every month, on the full moon (Pournami) day, thousands of devotees undertake the sacred Girivalam (circumambulation) around the hill. To improve facilities for pilgrims, a 4-kilometre Girivalam path is currently being developed.
As part of this initiative, the temple administration has planned to plant one lakh medicinal and native tree saplings, along with flowering plants, throughout the Girivalam route. The saplings include Neem, Pungai, Marudham, Iluppai, Peepal (Arasa Maram), Banyan (Aala Maram), Athi (Cluster Fig) and several other medicinal tree species.
The tree-planting programme was formally inaugurated on Monday morning. A large number of devotees participated in the event by planting saplings with their own hands and watering them.
The temple administration stated that planting trees not only benefits human health but also helps protect the environment. It noted that the lush greenery along the Girivalam path would reduce stress and provide peace and tranquillity to devotees undertaking the pilgrimage. The administration appealed to devotees to sponsor, plant and maintain saplings of their choice to ensure the success of the initiative.
Earlier in the day, the Aani Pournami Girivalam was held, attracting thousands of devotees. At the conclusion of the Girivalam, a special mass prayer for world peace and welfare was conducted.
All devotees who participated in the Girivalam were provided with Annadhanam (free community meal) and prasadam.
The arrangements for the event were made by the temple's hereditary trustee, Senbhagaraman.