Registration of devotees mandatory before distributing 'annadhanam'

TRICHY: Apart from deciding on what needs to be served to people as part of annadhanam (a sacred offering of food) during the Vaikunta Ekadesi, which falls on January 11, 2014, the devotees must also be careful about food quality, as the food safety department officials will be at your door step to check the quality of the food served.

The food safety wing of Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has made it mandatory for devotees to register if they wished to participate in the annadhanam. The certification is needed if devotees intended to distribute their offerings.

As far as Trichy is concerned, Vaikunta Ekadeshi (the opening of heavenly gate) at Sri Ranganathasamy temple is a festival that attracts people from neighbouring districts too. During the fest, numerous food stalls will be put up to provide food for the devotees.

Though the new rule has taken people by surprise, many have welcomed the initiative as it is ensures that the quality of food served is not compromised. "Until the previous year, there were no restrictions on the food served by the devotees. But, this year, the district administration has planned to take some serious measures in order to ensure that the food served is hygienic. The reason, they say, is to prevent any outbreak of disease due to food contamination," said a devotee, who has been attending the festival for the past many years.

Hence, the food safety wing has asked devotees to register by paying a fee of Rs 100 at their department near Jamal Mohammed College in Trichy. Following the registration, food safety officers (FSO) will conduct a quality-check up of the ingredients, water etc before the food is prepared. A go-ahead certificate will be issued, if the quality is found to be satisfactory. Talking to TOI about the status of the registration, Dr A Ramakrishnan, the designated officer of Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration department, Trichy, said, "We have received a few applications seeking permission for annadhanam. With 10 more days left for the festival, we are expecting more people come forward and register as it has been made mandatory."

He further specified that even the road-side tea shops, eateries and hotels must also get permission ahead of the festival. "Applications will be accepted till 10 January," he said.