Sabarimala Pilgrimage Season Preparatory Works Accelerate Ahead of Chief Minister's Visit
Pathanamthitta: Preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season have been accelerated at Nilakkal, Pamba and Sannidhanam ahead of Chief Minister V D Satheesan's scheduled visit to Pamba on October 17 to review the arrangements.
At Sannidhanam, repair and maintenance works on various buildings have been expedited. Renovation of the Devaswom employees' mess has begun at a cost of Rs 1.80 crore, including the installation of a new boiler. The e-auction of shops at Sabarimala has also been completed.
Meanwhile, Aravana production, which faced disruptions during the Kanni Masa poojas, has resumed using 23 preparation pans. Around 1.50 lakh tins are being produced daily. Work to expand the plant's capacity will begin after the Thulam Masa poojas. However, delays in issuing fresh purchase orders for essential ingredients, including rice, could affect prasadam production.
At Pamba, construction of a temporary German tent capable of accommodating over 6,000 pilgrims has begun on the riverbed. The Devaswom Board has also initiated cleaning works along the river and bathing ghats to remove iron rods, concrete slabs and other hazardous materials following an incident in which a pilgrim was injured while bathing during the Kanni Masa poojas.
At Nilakkal, another German tent with a capacity of 6,000 pilgrims is planned. Parking facilities for more than 10,000 vehicles are also being prepared. Land-levelling works have begun around the Nilakkal temple and near the Palliyarakkavu Devi Temple.
The Devaswom Board also plans to install additional drinking water kiosks at Nilakkal, where water is supplied through a pipeline from Seethathode.
The Board's proposal to establish permanent but dismantlable shelters at Pamba and Nilakkal has meanwhile faced objections from the Forest Department.