Mysuru: The ghosts of the Sulwadi Maramma temple tragedy, which claimed more than 10 lives after devotees consumed prasadam laced with poison, remain fresh in the memories of the authorities, who are keeping a close watch on the kitchens where the prasadam is being manufactured for devotees arriving in T Narasipura for the Maha Kumbha Mela, which started at Triveni Sangama on Sunday.Dr S Chidambara, who has been appointed the officer in-charge of ensuring safety of food served to devotees examined the quality of the raw materials used for preparing the prasadam. Samples of the food prepared in the kitchens were inspected, and distributed to visitors only after the officials cleared it fit for consumption.Dr Chidambara told TOI that food for the devotees was being prepared at four places. “Besides the food being manufactured by the temple authorities, many devotees are getting prasadam from their homes, and distributing it to the others. We have issued a list of dos and don’ts to those who are volunteering to serve prasadam on their behalf. Health department officials have been asked to check the quality of water by collecting samples, and two doctors will visit the kitchens and constantly monitor the condition of the cooks, besides ensuring standards of hygiene are not lax. We have installed closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in each of the four kitchens as part of the security arrangements,” Dr Chidambara said.Tight securityMore than 1,500 police personnel have been deployed in and around Triveni Sangama as part of the security arrangements for the three-day event. In addition to the CCTV cameras installed in the kitchens, more than 70 have been put up at various locations across the venue. “We have both a striking force, and an anti-sabotage unit at our disposal at the venue,” said Mysuru district superintendent of police Amit Singh, adding that a control room had been set up, and three watch towers had been erected.Seer, soldiers rememberedSand artist Raghunandan paid tributes to the recently deceased seer of Siddaganga Mutt Shivakumara Swamiji, moulding the visage of the late pontiff on sand. He also paid homage to the CRPF personnel who were slain in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

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