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The authorities has given permission for the two-month Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season of the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala from November 16, adhering to COVID-19 protocol.
A gathering chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan right here on Monday requested the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to go forward with the pilgrimage season by permitting devotees to the barest minimal.
There is not going to be any ban on devotees from other States. Virtual queue facility of the police can be relevant for darshan. Pilgrims is not going to be allowed to relaxation on the premises of the temple and keep in visitor homes and other dwelling models within the Sannidhanam.
Panel on COVID norms
A committee headed by Chief Secretary Vishwas Mehta and comprising the Principal Secretaries of Devaswom, Health, Forest, Secretary of Home, and the State Police Chief was constituted on the assembly to look into the conduct of the pilgrimage season and the implementation of the COVID-19 protocol.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan later advised mediapersons that the committee would determine on the variety of pilgrims that may be permitted from other States. Officials would go to the neighbouring States to temporary the authorities there on the preparations.
The Devaswom Minister would convene a gathering of the Ministers of States from the place most pilgrims arrive. The authorities would make sure that COVID-19-positive pilgrims don’t enter the State. The Health Department would arrange testing centres.
Masks could be made obligatory and the KSRTC would function buses adhering to COVID-19 protocol. Paper plates could be used for Annadanam and consuming water could be offered in metal bottles for ₹100 from Pampa. The quantity can be refunded when the bottle is returned.
Showers, sprinklers
Showers and sprinklers could be put in in Pampa and Erumeli bathing ghats. The TDB will look into amassing ghee for abhishekam at a chosen place and returning it to the pilgrims.
The Mandala puja is on December 26 and the temple will shut on December 27 after the 41-day Mandala pilgrimage season. It will open once more on December 30 for the Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The Makaravilakku is on January 14, 2021, and the temple will shut on January 20.
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