Kochi: This Sabarimala pilgrimage season, which is at its fag end, saw an unprecedented rush of devotees that forced the cops to resort to extreme crowd control measures like lathicharge. Each season records a 20 to 30 per cent increase in pilgrim arrivals but the infrastructure build up is taken up at a slow pace.
However, Devaswom Minister V.S.Sivakumar and other high officials said that four major projects would be ready next year which would ensure that all basic amenities were provided to devotees.
“The main issue we’re facing is the lack of sufficient space for development.
Hence, we’ve decided to start development projects worth Rs 136 cr immediately after this season ends. As a first step we’ll build queue complexes along the entire stretch from Marakootam to Sannidhanam. Also on Makaravilakku Day on January 14, the stone for a Rs 23 cr sewage treatment plant at Sannidanam will be laid and it will be operational by the next season,” said Minister V.S.Sivakumar.
The high-power committee constituted for implementing the development projects has given priority to four big projects that would be executed on a war footing.
“Apart from the sewage treatment plant, priority will be for constructing another floor for the Valiyanadapandal on the lines of Tirupati temple so as to enable 12,000 pilgrims lay ‘viri’. A new appam and aravana plant would be set up next season for which we’ve found a sponsor.
The ropeway project and the Kunnar water project are also among the top priorities. For the latter, which is to bring water to Sannidhanam from the Kunnar dam, we’ll try to get environmental clearance this year”, said K.Jayakumar, chief coordinator.
The ropeway project would be executed by the Damodar Ropeways and Infrastructure Ltd and would be helpful to aged and physically affected pilgrims. “Out of the Rs 136 cr, Rs 50 cr is being spent under the Sabarimala masterplan,” the officer said.
Presently, one of the main complaints of the pilgrims is the dangerous running of tractors. By next year, a new approach road will be constructed from Handranandan Road towards Sannidanam by the side of the Bailey bridge. The tractors will be diverted through this route so that they wouldn’t have to rush through the pilgrims waiting at Valiyanadapandal.
With the increase in pilgrim inflow, the revenue too at Sabarimala has recorded a rise. The aggregate revenue at the end of the mandalam season was Rs 125 cr, a 20 per cent increase from the corresponding period last year. Details of the total earning this season will be released by the board after Makaravilakku on January 14.
Next: Thiruvabharanam procession begins from Pandalam
Thiruvabharanam procession begins from Pandalam
Kochi: The three-day procession carrying the Thiruvabharanam, the gold ornaments to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala on the Makaravilakku day on January 14, began its journey from the Pandalam Valiyakoickal Sree Dharma Sastha temple on Sunday.
The three boxes carrying the jewellery were being carried by a team led by Pandalam royal family representative Dileep Varma Raja, special officer G Biju and special officer P Mohanan. The procession started at 12.45 pm after Pandalam Vailiyaraja Revati Tirunal Ramavarma handed over the royal sword to the representative, signaling the beginning of the traditional practice.
The procession would halt at the Ayroor Puthiyakavu temple on the first day, after touching Aranmula, Punnamthottam, Pampadimon and Cherukole. It will reach Valiyanavattom near Pampa by noon on the Makaravilakku Day (third day). Then the procession would head to Saramkuthi touching Neelimala, Appachimedu and Sabaripeedom.
The Thiruvabharanam procession would be received by Travancore Devaswom Board president M P Govindan Nair at Sopanam and the Thiruvabharanam will be taken to the sanctum santorum of the temple where the tantri and melshanti will receive it. Deeparadhana will be conducted after adorning the Thiruvabharanam on the idol of Lord Ayyappa at 6.30 pm.
