Pilgrims welcome trolley for toddlers on Girivalam path in Tiruvannamalai

Pilgrims, who are mostly long-distance travelers, have welcomed the operation of baby trolleys for devotees with toddlers walking on Girivalam path near Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai town.

Devotees said that despite neatly laid bitumen carriageway with tiled footpath and purified water taps, Girivalam path remains a challenge for devotees walking with babies mainly for its 14 kms distance.

The path also has small temples and ashrams where devotees make a brief halt. “The temple visit does not complete without covering Girivalam path. But carrying babies along the path has always remained a tough job. Baby trolleys are a great relief for us,” said G. Santha, a devotee.

Inspired by foreign tourists, who brought baby trolleys along with them for pilgrim visit in the town, E. Vinayagam, a local, kick-started the initiative on the path. Devotees can hire a trolley with a nominal fee to take a stroll between Chengam Road junction and Raja Gopuram of the temple on the path, a distance of around 10 kms.

Devotees have to share a live location on the mobile phone and can drop the trolley at any spot on the path after completing their walk. Trolleys are available between 8 a.m and 11 p.m on the path on all days except on Tuesdays and Saturdays when the service is operated round-the-clock due to huge rush.