Free Food to Be Distributed at Pandithavalam, Parnashala During Makaravilakku
Pathanamthitta: The Sabarimala Devaswom Board has announced extensive arrangements for free food distribution and safety measures for pilgrims arriving for the Makaravilakku festival.
Sabarimala Devaswom Executive Officer O.G. Biju said that free food parcels will be distributed to devotees at Pandithavalam and Parnashala. Food packets will be provided on the afternoon and night of January 13, and three times on January 14. Cooking food on the premises of Pandithavalam and Parnashala will not be permitted. Light refreshments and drinking water will also be made available to all devotees staying at Sannidhanam.
As part of crowd control measures during the Makaravilakku darshan, spot booking will be suspended from January 12.
Makarajyothi Viewing Arrangements
Around 15 designated locations have been arranged at Sannidhanam for devotees to view the Makarajyothi. These include Thirumuttam, Malikappuram, Annadanam Mandapam, Pandithavalam, Donor House courtyard, incinerator area, water tank area, ground behind the hotel complex, Darshan Complex, BSNL office premises, Koprakalam, near Aazhi, Jyothi Nagar, Forest Office premises, and Water Authority office premises.
At Pampa, the hilltop area has also been made available for viewing the Jyothi.
Instructions Issued for Devotees
The authorities have issued strict instructions to ensure safety and smooth movement of pilgrims:
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Devotees are prohibited from climbing on top of buildings to view the Makaravilakku.
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Cooking food is not allowed for those staying at Parnashala.
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All instructions issued by the police and forest officials must be strictly followed.
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Devotees are advised not to descend the hill in large groups after darshan.
Safety Barricades and Emergency Facilities
District Collector S. Premkrishnan reviewed the safety arrangements at various Makarajyothi viewing points and inspected the halting point of the Thiruvabharanam procession near the Lahai Forest Department office.
Security arrangements have been reviewed at viewing points including Panjippara, Ilavunkal, Nellimala, Attathode West Uplands, and Attathode. Construction of safety barricades and related infrastructure is progressing at Panjippara, where annadanam (free food distribution) will also be arranged for devotees.
Ambulance services under the Health Department will be ensured at all viewing points. Under the leadership of the Seethathode Grama Panchayat, facilities such as resting areas and toilets have been prepared at Panjippara. Drinking water will be supplied at all locations.
Instructions have been issued to install safety barricades at Ilavunkal, Attathode, and Nellimala, and Fire and Rescue Services will be deployed, including at Nellimala.
The District Collector stated that police and forest department personnel will be stationed at all viewing points. Officials present during the review included Sabarimala ADM Arun S. Nair, District Police Chief R. Anand, Ranni DFO N. Rajesh Kumar, Disaster Management Deputy Collector R. Rajalakshmi, among others.