‘Leaving clothes in Pampa river an unhealthy practice’

‘Leaving clothes in Pampa river an unhealthy practice’ - Thanthri Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu
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Pilgrims leaving clothes in river Pampa while returning from the holy hillock of Sabarimala after completing their pilgrimage was not at all a custom and tradition of the pilgrimage, according to the Tantri, Kandararu Maheswararu Mohanararu.

The Tantri said there was no basis at all in the unhealthy trend followed by certain pilgrims to throw their clothes and chains of beads into the river Pampa, considering it part of the custom and tradition of the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims should take extra care to discontinue this trend in the larger interests of keeping the Pampa clean, he said.

The Tantri has further called upon the pilgrims not to bring plastic bags and bottles to Sabarimala as plastic litters in the forests has been posing alarming threat to the flora and fauna in the sensitive Periyar Tiger Reserve. He said no plastic material should be used in the Irumudikkettu and cooperation of all concerned was necessary to keep Sabarimala free of plastic.