INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
SABARIMALA: In a fervent display of devotion, hundreds of devotees flocked to the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala on Thursday evening as
the portals of the hill shrine opened for the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakkku pilgrimage
The 41-day pilgrimage season is set to commence on Friday, marking the auspicious beginning of the Malayalam month of Vrichikam.Under the
guidance of temple 'tantri' (head priest) Mahesh Mohanaru, the sanctum sanctorum was opened, with 'melshanthi' (chief priest) K Jayaraman
Namboothiri leading the rituals
The temple complex, 'sannidhanam', echoed with the chants of 'swamiye saranam Ayyappa' as devotees undertook a strenuous trek through the
traditional path from the base camp at Pampa to reach the hill shrine.New 'melshanthies' of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples, P N
Mahesh, and P G Murali, respectively, offered prayers at the shrines ahead of assuming their responsibilities tomorrow
The anticipation was palpable even before the official opening of the shrine on Friday, with Sabarimala and its premises witnessing a
substantial influx of devotees.P S Prashanth, the president of Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the shrine, and other officials were
present during the temple's opening
Prashanth assured that all necessary arrangements have been completed at 'sannidhanam' and Pampa to accommodate devotees for the pilgrimage
season, emphasizing the provision of basic amenities and infrastructure facilities.In preparation for a safe and smooth pilgrimage, advanced
technologies, including a dynamic queue-control system, have been implemented to manage crowding at 'sannidhanam'
Additionally, video walls at Nilakkal, Pampa, and the temple complex will keep devotees informed about the rush
Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan highlighted the establishment of emergency health centers at 15 locations along the route between Pampa
and 'sannidhanam' to ensure the well-being of devotees.(With inputs from agencies)
