Thiruvananthapuram: Work has began for the first phase of the '10-crore Amenity Centre at Kazhakuttom Mahadevar temple. This will serve as the largest stop-over facility for Ayyappa pilgrims.
The pilgrim facility complex at Kazhakuttom, is the first of the string of amenity centres to be developed in different parts of the state, said a statement from dewaswom minister and Kazhakuttom MLA Kadakam-pally Surendran.
Kazhakuttom Mahadev-ar temple is one among the 108 major Lord Shiva temples in the state. Every year large number of devotees visit the temple from South Kerala and adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu while proceeding to Sabarimala..
The complex after completion will have ‘Annad-ana Mandapam with a capacity to seat 350 people at a time for food.
Apart from that viripandal where devotees can take rest, an auditorium with 700 seats, an open stage, modern kitchen and toilets are other facilities in the amenity centre, said the statement.
The centre will also have an online booking counter for obtaining the ticket for the darshan queue at Sannidhanam at Sabarim-ala, internet, locker facility and kiosks for devotees to buy the puja and offering articles.
The main two-storey structure of the complex consisting of a total area of 26846 square feet, will have open air auditorium of 6800 square feet and the toilet complex of 850 sqft. A sum of '46 lakh has been set apart for renovation of the temple pond.
The complex is being constructed in traditional architectural style with a garden planted with a rich variety of flower-bearing plants and foliages.
State Government plan was to build 36 amenity centres for Sabarimala pilgrims across the state at a cost of Rs 100 crore. During the non-pilgrim season, the complex will be used as wedding hall and for the purposes of the temple.
The work of the first phase of the centre was inaugurated on Saturday by Dewaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
