Devotees from other states wish to take part in St.Antony fest

Rameswaram, Feb 8 (PTI): A total of 850 devotees from other states including Kerala, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh have expressed their wish to participate in St Antony's annual festival at Katchativu islet in Palk Straits on February 23. Sahayaraj, Priest at St.Joseph church, who is coordinating the festival with Sri lankan priest Amalraj told reporters that all of them had applied for particiation in the festival. He said District Collector Nandhakumar had lifted the order of demanding No Objection Certificate for pilgrims coming from other places to attend the festival. People from other religions could also attend it.As devotees found it hard to obtain NOC from the Police station, the district administration had decided not to insist on that, he said. However they should bring Voter ID and ration cards to get passes to go to Katchativu.Only 40 passengers would be allowed to travel in big mechanised boats, 35 in small mechanised boats,and 15 in country boats, he said. There would be a ban on plastic products, while they would have to mandatorily wear life jackets As many as 150 priests and 250 nuns would be travelling to the island. About 5000 people are expected to attend the festival. PTI COR SSN APR PTI COR SSN APR