Pathanamthitta : Pilgrimage arrangements at Sabarimala stand modified owing to rains intensifying since Saturday night. Devotees thronging in large numbers as shrine opens would pose problems, said the Chief Minister in a brief earlier, adding that the rivers have risen to dangerous proportions and waters has turned muddy. The situation adversely impacts availability of clean water for drinking and bath purposes, owing to which, devotee numbers should be restricted, decided the CM-chaired meeting also attended by the District Collectors.
Kakki dam shutters will be raised slightly up to relieve the reservoir. Also, Pampa dam now stands at its maximum capacity and is likely to open any time now, the discharge from which will raise river Pampa down stream at Triveni – the crossway for pilgrims to Sabrimala.
Head priest VK Jayaraj Potti will conduct rituals overseen by Tantri Kanrar Maheshrkohna as the shrine opens for the annual Mandala season at 4 pm Monday. Lamp lighting ceremony will follow after which, there will be inaugural of new head priest for Malikkapuram.
Children below 10 may arrive for darshan.
Pilgrims to Sabarimala should each carry 2-dose vaccination certificate or an RT-PCR negative certificate timed within 72 hours before arrival. They should also carry ID proof - Aadhar card, Voter ID or Passport. These do not apply for children below age 10 who arrive darshan.
No Pampa bath
Water levels at the river are perilous owing to which, no body shall be allowed to take the traditional dip into Pampa this time. Pilgrims are prohibited from venturing into any of the river’s bath hubs.
Meanwhile, spot booking for darshan has been put on the hold
KSRTC services to commence today
KSRTC services to Pampa will commence today. On duty are 231 buses to Sabarimala in Nilakkel-Pampa chain service service paced every 10 minutes.
All major roads to Sabarimala are inundated. Traffic along roads of Punalur-Muvattupuzha and Pandakalam-Pathanamthitta are facing disruption. Pampa breached its banks in the intense rains. Achankovil river rising as well. Pampa breached embankment at Triveni and much of Pathanamthitta’s low-lying areas have come under water.
