Sathram Lacks Basic Facilities for Sabarimala Pilgrims; Temple Committee Protests
IDUKKI: Alleged encroachment of nearly 20 acres of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) land at Sathram, the starting point of the traditional forest route to Sabarimala, has triggered protests, with allegations that the Board has failed to reclaim the land or provide basic facilities for pilgrims.
The management committee of the Subramanya Swamy Temple at Sathram has also raised concerns over the lack of facilities ahead of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
For decades, pilgrims have used the Sathram route to reach Pullumedu and proceed to Sabarimala. However, the temple committee alleged that neither the district administration nor the Devaswom Board had made adequate arrangements for pilgrims this season.
Even temporary facilities provided in previous years have not been arranged at Sathram this time. The committee has been demanding permanent facilities, including toilets, resting areas for pilgrims and other basic amenities. Temple representatives said successive governments and Devaswom authorities had failed to address these long-standing demands.
Parking facility shifted to private estate
The proposed relocation of the parking facility for pilgrims' vehicles to a private estate at Valadi has also raised concerns. Earlier, pilgrims could travel directly from Vandiperiyar to Sathram. Under the new arrangement, they will have to reach Valadi first and complete the necessary security checks before proceeding to Sathram.
After reaching Sathram, pilgrims will again have to complete security checks and visit the temple before beginning their journey through the forest route. The temple committee and local residents fear that these procedures could delay the pilgrimage and affect pilgrims' schedules for Sabarimala darshan.
The temple management committee has urged the Devaswom Board and the concerned Minister to intervene urgently, reclaim the allegedly encroached land and ensure that adequate basic facilities are provided for pilgrims at Sathram.