In preparation for the Karthigai Deepam festival — an annual major pilgrimage event — the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) announced special long-distance services from Tirunelveli to Tiruvannamalai. These services run on December 2 and 3, 2025, and include both AC and non-AC buses with seated and sleeper options to accommodate devotees and travellers heading to the festival site. According to SETC officials, passengers can book tickets online via the TNSTC website or mobile app, with dedicated phone assistance numbers provided for Tirunelveli and other originating cities. This deployment aims to provide efficient bus connectivity from southern Tamil Nadu to the festival destination, helping travel flow during a high-demand period around religious celebrations.