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Sabarimala
Pilgrims going to Sabarimala temple in Kerala can carry coconuts in cabin baggage in flights, with aviation security regulator BCAS relaxing the norms for a limited period. A senior official of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) said the permission has been given for the ongoing Sabarimala season that is to end in late January. Lakhs of devotees visit the hill shrine every year and majority of them carry 'Irumudi Kettu' (the sacred bag containing offerings, including coconut filled with ghee, to the Lord). Coconuts meant for offering as part of Sabarimala pilgrimage have been allowed to be carried in cabin baggage for a limited period of time, the official told PTI on Tuesday. The official also said that additional security measures and checks have been put in place in this regard. Under current norms, coconuts are not permitted in cabin baggage on the grounds that they are flammable. "... Coconuts, in the view of inconvenience to the pilgrims to Shri Sabarimala shall b
As many as 43 people including a boy suffered injuries after a bus carrying Sabarimala pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh met with an accident and overturned near Laha in this district on Saturday. Among them, the condition of the eight-year-old boy, identified as Manikandan, is critical. The mishap occurred when the 44 pilgrims from Vijayawada, were on their way back after offering worship at the hill shrine, police said. District health officials confirmed that a total of 43 persons were injured in the accident, which was suspected to have happened after the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve in the route. Health Minister Veena George said all those in the bus were rescued within an hour of the accident and the vehicle was shifted from the accident site by 10 AM. The condition of the boy, who suffered multiple injuries, is critical and he would undergo a surgery soon at the Government Medical College, Kottayam, she said. "Five persons including the boy were
The famed Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala here was opened on Wednesday evening on the eve of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season which this year is expected to see a 40 to 50 per cent increase in devotees in the absence of the COVID-19 restrictions. Kerala Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan said unlike the last two years, when the pilgrimage was held according to strict COVID-19 guidelines that limited devotees to around 30,000 each day, this year there were no limits on the number of pilgrims who can come for darshan. "We expect a huge turnout this year. There is no limit on the number of devotees who can come per day. We expect a 40 to 50 per cent increase in pilgrims compared to previous two years," the minister told PTI. Travancore Devaswom Board president K Ananthagopan shared a similar view and said that on Wednesday evening close to 30,000 devotees turned up for darshan. On Thursday, when the 41-day long annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season begins
Security arrangements have been completed at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple which will be opened for the monthly five-day pooja on October 16 evening,police said on Friday. The commandant of the Kerala Armed Police (KAP) Fifth Battalion K Radhakrishnan has been appointed as the Police Special Officer to oversee security, a release issued by the state police said. The Pathanamthitta district police chief and the KAP third Battalion commandant will assist the special officer. According to the release,at a time only 250 persons will be allowed to enter the hilltop shrine. All other routes to Sabarimala, except through Vadasserikkara and Erumeli, will be closed. The COVID-19 health protocol will have to be strictlyfollowed by the staff, officials and devotees,state police chief Loknath Behera said. The temple will be opened for devotees on October 16 evening and regular poojas will be held for five days starting from October 17 morning, which is the first day of the