THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The expert committee constituted to suggest measures for the safe conduct of Sabarimala pilgrimage during the pandemic has decided to allow 1,000 people to have darshan a day at Sabarimala in the ensuing mandala-makaravilakku festival season.
On Saturdays and Sundays, 2,000 people a day will be allowed to have darshan and the number will be raised to 5,000 a day for the mandala puja and makaravilakku days.
Though the Travancore devaswom board (TDB) had requested the expert committee to increase the number of devotees during the festival season, both the health and police departments objected to it.
“The TDB has realized and accepted the difficulties cited by the health and police departments over increasing the number of devotees. Hence, it has been decided to restrict the number of devotees as suggested by the expert committee,” said N Vasu, president, TDB.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said it is important to control the rush of devotees as the Covid-19 situation continues to be serious. Along with devotees, all who work at Sabarimala are required to get Covid-19 negative certificates. “If any of the pilgrims from other states test positive, we will arrange treatment for them here,” he said.
The temple, which opens for the mandala puja on November 16, will be closed on December 26. For the makaravilakku festival, the temple will be opened again on December 30 and will be closed on January 21. The makaravilakku festival will be held on January 14. All the devotees who are coming for darshan should possess Covid negative certificates. Those coming from other states should register on the Covid Arogya Jagrata portal. Covid tests should be done 24 hours prior to their darshan.
The TDB president said that those who are coming without Covid negative certificate and not by registering through the virtual queue, will not be permitted to have darshan and they will be stopped at Nilackal. All the devotees will have to undergo testing at Nilackal. Small vehicles will be allowed to take the devotees till Pamba. But no parking will be allowed at Pamba.
No one will be allowed to take bath at Pamba instead showers will be set up. No pilgrims will be allowed to camp at Sannidhanam.