Pandalam Palace Representatives and Ayyappa Organisations Invited to Sabarimala Review Meeting to Be Chaired by Kerala CM
Pampa: Preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season are progressing rapidly, with the Kerala government set to review pilgrim facilities and infrastructure arrangements at Pampa on Saturday.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will chair the review meeting, which will assess the progress of various development works and arrangements for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage season.
The government has also invited representatives of the Pandalam Palace Commitee, Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham (ABASS) and other organisations associated with Sabarimala pilgrims to participate in the meeting. These organisations had reportedly been excluded from similar consultations in recent years.
Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has intensified preparations at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal ahead of the Chief Minister's visit.
At Sannidhanam, renovation of the Devaswom employees' mess is underway at a cost of Rs 1.80 crore, including a new boiler. Shop auctions have been completed, while infrastructure repairs are being expedited.
At Pampa, work has begun on a German-style shelter for over 6,000 pilgrims. Metal rods and concrete debris are also being cleared from the river and bathing ghats following a pilgrim injury.
At Nilakkal, a shelter for 6,000 pilgrims and parking facilities for over 10,000 vehicles are being arranged. Additional drinking-water kiosks will be installed, with water supplied from Seethathode.
Meanwhile, the Sabarimala temple will open at 5 pm on October 17 for the Thulam month poojas. The selection of new Sabarimala and Malikappuram Melsanthis will take place on October 18 from 7.30 am, under the supervision of Sabarimala Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan and Devaswom Commissioner B. Sunil Kumar. The temple will close at 10 pm on October 22.