Historic Visit: President Murmu to Reach Sabarimala Sannidhanam in Gurkha Jeep
Pathanamthitta: The detailed Schudule of President Smt.Droupadi Murmu’s upcoming visit to Sabarimala has been handed over to the protocol department of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The visit, scheduled for this month, marks the first-ever presidential visit to the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple.
According to the schedule, the President will arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on October 21 and stay overnight at Raj Bhavan. On October 22, she will depart from Thiruvananthapuram around 9:00 a.m. by helicopter and reach Nilakkal. From there, she will travel by car to Pampa, where she will rest briefly at the Maramath Complex.
As per the tentative plan, the President is also expected to perform the traditional Pampa river bath before ascending the hill. After filling the Irumudi Kettu (the sacred offering bundle), she will begin her journey to the Sannidhanam around 11:15 a.m., traveling in the Gurkha jeep of the Travancore Devaswom Board. She is expected to reach the temple by 12 noon for darshan.
Considering the high-level security protocol mandated under the Blue Book, elaborate security arrangements will be in place. The Devaswom Board has sought High Court permission to conduct a rehearsal of the Gurkha jeep’s route from Pampa to Sannidhanam to ensure safety and logistical preparedness.
The President’s convoy will include five people, along with accompanying security, medical, and escort vehicles. After the temple visit, the President will rest at the Devaswom Guest House before descending in the same Gurkha jeep to Pampa around 3:15 p.m. She will then proceed to Nilakkal, and from there, return to Thiruvananthapuram by helicopter.
In view of the President’s visit, the Travancore Devaswom Board has decided not to open the virtual queue/spot booking slots for October 22, restrictions are likely from afternoon of 21 october, meaning devotees will not be allowed darshan at Sabarimala on those two days.