The Ayyappa devotees, including elderly women and children, undertaking their annual Sabarimala pilgrimage through the 40-km Erumeli-Karimala-Pampa traditional forest route leading to the holy hillock are left to bear with grossly inadequate basic facilities.
The lack of facilities is despite the pre-pilgrim season promises that were made by the government as well as the Travancore Devaswom Board authorities that all necessary basic pilgrim facilities would be ensured at Azhutha, Karimala, and other base camps on this traditional forest route.
It is estimated that as many as 50,000 pilgrims pass by this traditional pilgrimage route.
The number of woman-pilgrims undertaking this traditional route too is on the rise, according to Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sanghom (ABASS) sources.
The main base camp at Karimala does not have any public latrine at all. There is also acute water shortage in this forest tract where a large number of pilgrims camp in the night on a daily basis.
The pilgrims are left with little option other than entering the forest interiors to attend to the nature’s calls.
A toilet attached to the Forest Station is the only facility for the four police police personnel, two Forest department staff, and the ABASS volunteers camping at Karimala. -TheHindu