TDB and Government Will Work Together to Ensure Smooth Sabarimala Pilgrimage Season: K. Jayakumar
Thiruvananthapuram: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President K. Jayakumar said the Devaswom Board and the Kerala government will work together to ensure a smooth Sabarimala pilgrimage this year.
Speaking to the media after meeting Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Jayakumar said he did not feel that the Chief Minister had any disagreement with the Board. He said the government had assured its full cooperation in conducting the pilgrimage.
“I met the Chief Minister in person and discussed in detail matters related to the Devaswom Board’s activities at Sabarimala. I did not feel that he had any disagreement with the Board. The Board and the government will cooperate fully to ensure a smooth pilgrimage this year,” Jayakumar said.
He said the government would be kept informed about the progress of various activities at Sabarimala so that any issues could be addressed without delay.
“The Board and the government are not taking positions from two different sides or moving forward with any distrust. We have decided to inform the government about the progress of every activity at Sabarimala and move ahead without problems,” he said.
Jayakumar acknowledged that there had been a shortage of Aravana but said such shortages had occurred in the past and that it was not a major issue.
He said he would meet the media on Thursday to explain the preparations for the upcoming Mandala season in detail. Jayakumar expressed confidence that the present Board would be able to conduct the Sabarimala pilgrimage in a more systematic manner than usual.
“There may be people who are disappointed with this. I have nothing to say in response to that,” he added.