- Announcing steps to conduct the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, the Kerala government on Monday said the two-month-long season from November 16 will be held strictly adhering to Covid-19 protocol.
- According to officials, those below 10 years and above 60 will not be allowed to take part in the pilgrimage.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Monday announced steps to conduct the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple and said the two-month-long season from November 16 will be held strictly embracing to Covid-19 protocol.
The government, however, added that the number of devotees will be reduced and will be allowed only through the virtual queue system.
Announcing steps to conduct the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, the Kerala government on Monday said the two-month-long season from November 16 will be held strictly adhering to Covid-19 protocol.
While devotees from other states also will be permitted, overnight stay at Sannidhanam will not be allowed. Devotees will have to undergo antigen tests in Nilakkal and Pamba.
The government said steps will be taken to ensure that those infected with the novel coronavirus would not participate in the pilgrimage.
According to officials, those below 10 years and above 60 will not be allowed to take part in the pilgrimage.
After chairing a meeting of various departments to discuss the preparations for organizing this year’s pilgrimage commencing November 16, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the pilgrims will not be allowed to stay back at the temple compound after darshan.
The Health Department will study if wearing masks while climbing the hills will create many health problems for the pilgrims, CM Vijayan said.
Devotees will not be allowed to take a dip in river Pamba. Instead, shower systems will be arranged at Erumely and Pamba for them to take bath, the chief minister said.
Vijayan said special arrangements will be made for performing offerings including Neyyabhishekam (ghee abhisheka, an important offering to Lord Ayyappa) and Annadanam (the sacred tradition of offering food) adhering to Covid-19 protocol.
To prevent the spread of coronavirus during the pilgrimage, drinking water to pilgrims climbing the hills for darshan will be provided in steel water pots.
Vijayan said outlets of the state’s Supply and Consumerfed departments will be opened at Pamba to ensure the availability of the essential items.
Meanwhile, a committee headed by the chief secretary has been appointed to prepare a report on how many pilgrims from other states can be allowed.
Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran would organize a virtual meet with his counterparts of neighboring states– Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry– to discuss the pilgrimage.
(With PTI inputs)
