Kerala Government to Reopen route for Sabarimala

Restrictions relaxed!

Kerala government has decided to remove restrictions and imply relaxations in the state for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. This decision comes to focus after the states are witnessing a lower count of Covid cases.

According to the statement, this decision was taken in a meeting between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan.

 According to the Chief Minister`s Office (CMO), it has been decided that the traditional route to Sabarimala from Pampa via Neelimala, Apache medu, and Marakoottam will be opened for devotees. 

As per the information, Primary health care facilities have been set up at Neelimala and Apache medu and overnight stay at Sannidhanam will be permitted for devotees, 500 rooms have been set up in observance with COVID protocols. Bathing and balitharpanam rituals (offering for departed souls of ancestors) will be allowed in the Pampa River. 

Sabarimala is a well-known Hindu temple that is placed on a hilltop in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district. It is encircled by 18 hills in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The temple is devoted to Lord Ayyappa also known as the God of growth.

The cases of Covid-19 are speeding up in a few states, many states have issued their standard operating procedure (SOPs) to curb the cases.  Also, few states have implemented travelling guidelines which need to be followed on arrival and departure at airports and other places.  Few states have implemented double doses of Covid vaccination Mandatory for selective places.