Makaravilakku Festival: Security to be Strengthened at Sabarimala

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  Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala addressing the review meeting of Makaravilakku arrangements at Pampa on Saturday. Devaswom and Health Minister V S Sivakumar is also seen

SABARIMALA: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said that elaborate arrangements have been made in view of the rush during the Makaravilakku season.

Addressing the review meeting on the preparations for Makarvialakku at Pampa on Saturday, the Home Minister said that a substantial number of policemen would be  deployed at Pampa, Sannidhanam and Pulmedu to control the crowd and ensure safety for the pilgrims.

In addition to police, provisions have been made for drinking water and food supply in view of the Makarajyothi with the help of local-self government institutions, said Chennithala. Special arrangements have been made for the security of the pilgrims at Valiyanavattom.

According to him, pilgrims would be supplied with food and water in case their vehicles are getting blocked in the rush.  To monitor the crowd, CCTV cameras would be installed at Sannidhanam and Pampa. Oxygen parlours would be installed on the traditional forest path at Kallidamkunnu, he said. Addressing the meeting, Devaswom and Health Minister V S Sivakumar said that 2,450 police personnel at Sannidhanam, 1,270 at Pampa and 1,500 at Pumedu would be deployed to ensure pilgrim security. Travancore Devaswom Board member Subhash Vasu, district panchayat president Haridas Edathitta, District Collector S Harikishore, ADGP K Padmakumar and IG Manoj Abraham attended the review meeting.

Petta Thullal Today

SABARIMALA: The annual petta thullal at Erumeli Sree Dharma Sastha temple, marking the memory of Lord Ayyappa’s victory over demon Mahishi, will be celebrated, on Sunday.

Petta thullal teams of Ambalappuzha and Alangattu have already reached Erumeli on Saturday.

Both teams, on arrival on Saturday morning, offered worship at Erumlei Sree Dharma Sastha Temple.

Petta thullal by the 500-member Ambalappuzha team, led by periyor Chandrasekharan Nair, will begin the ritual after witnessing ‘Krishnaparunth’ on the sky above the temple in the noon. Pasting colours on their face and body, the team members will leave the Erumeli Petta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and will be led by chendamelam and nadaswaram.

Caparisoned elephant carrying the thidamb of Lord Sastha will accompany the team. The Travancore Devaswom Board president and  members will give reception to the team at the gate of the temple. Petta thullal by Ambalappuzha team will conclude after offering worship at the temple.

The petta thullal offering by the 300-member Alangattu team, led by Vijayakumar, will begin after spotting the star on the sky above Petta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple at 2 pm.

The team members will paste sandalwood paste on their forehead and will be led by chendamelam and nadaswaram through out the procession route.

At the Valiyambalam temple, the devaswom authorities will receive the team and lead them to temple.

After circumambulating the nalambalam of the temple, the ceremonial petta thullal will conclude at 3.30 pm. -newindianexpress