Covid norms to be followed during Sabarimala festival

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has decided to conduct the Mandalakala-Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala ensuring strict Covid-19 protocol. A Covid-19 negative certificate will be mandatory for devotees to enter the hill shrine and the darshan will be allowed only through a virtual queue. The festival season begins on November 16.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting convened by Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran here on Monday. The meeting observed that due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country, the usual darshan cannot be allowed, hence restrictions will have to be imposed. There were suggestions that the entry of devotees will have to be limited to avoid the rush.
It was decided that a virtual queue system of the state police will have to be used to restrict the entries. While registering for the virtual queue, the devotees will have to submit the Covid negative certificate. The devotees will be allowed inside the temple on an hourly basis. A specific number of devotees will be allowed inside at a particular time to avoid crowding. At the meeting, Travancore Devaswom Board president N Vasu urged the support of all departments for the conduct of the festival. The district administration had taken over certain buildings at Nilackal to be made into Covid-19 treatment centres that would then be handed back to the TDB to prepare the facilities for the season.
The meeting decided that if there was difficulty in finding out traders to set up shops at Pampa, then government agencies like Consumerfed will step in. It was also decided to provide more facilities for the department officials who are put on duty at Pampa and Nilackal, including their accommodation.
The Pandalam Royal family representative who also attended the meeting supported the government's move to impose Covid-19 restrictions. It was also decided to convene another high-level meeting in the presence of the chief minister soon.