Monday, Oct 18, 2004
Monday, Oct 18, 2004 |
| Kerala | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Kerala
By Our Staff Reporter
SABARIMALA, OCT. 17. V. Muraleedharan Namboodiri, 39, of Udayanapuram Chathankudy Illom, near Vaikom, and Rajiv V. Namboodiri, 37, of Vaikom Sreemangalathu Mana, were selected the `melsanthis' (head priests) of the Lord Ayyappa Temple and the Malikappuram Temple at Sabarimala for the next one year at a draw of lots held at the "Sannidhanam" today. The holy hillock today witnessed a heavy rush. Hundreds of devotees turned up to witness the draw of lots held at the temple "Sopanam" on the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam. Muraleedharan Namboodiri has been the "melsanthi" at the Brahmamangalam Koottummel Devaswom, under the Vaikom Group, for the past 10 years. Rajiv Namboodiri is the "melsanthi" of the Vakkayil Valyarambathu Kuppedikkavu Bhagavathy Temple.Both will assume charge on November 16, first day of the Malayalam month of "Vrischikom". The lots were drawn by a seven-year old child, Rahul Rajeev, who was selected by the Special Commissioner appointed by the High Court, D. Sreevallabhan, from among the devotees present at the temple "Sopanam". Earlier, the "thantri", Kantaru Mohanaru, offered pooja to the lots prepared at the "Sopanam". The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president, N. Babu, was also present.
Minister's assurance
The Devaswom Minister, K.C. Venugopal, here today said that the United Democratic Front Government was serious in its efforts to provide better basic facilities for pilgrims at Sabarimala. Talking to reporters, the Minister said he and the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, would soon seek Central clearance at least for the permissive use of not less than 50 acres of forest land along the Marakkoottom-Saramkuthi stretch of the Sabarimala trekking path during the coming Mandalam-Makaravilakku season. He said that he and Mr. Chandy would meet the Prime Minister and the Union Minister of Forests seeking Central clearance for providing basic pilgrim facilities, such as makeshift shelters, trench latrines, bathrooms and small stalls to distribute free medicated drinking water and food items along the trekking path. Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Venugopal stressed the need to provide wayside benches from Marakkoottom to Valiyanadappanthal as it would help the pilgrims to take in their long wait on the trekking path for the holy darshan during the pilgrim season.
Chandy's visit
Mr. Venugopal said the Chief Minister and seven Ministers would visit Erumely and Pampa on October 29 to review the arrangements being made at these places by various departments for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrim season. The Chief Minister and the Ministers for Forests, Water Resources, Health, Transport, Devaswom, Electricity and Food and Civil Supplies would jointly hold the review meeting at Pampa at 12 noon on October 29, after their visit to Erumely in the morning. Addressing a meeting of various departmental heads at Pampa, later in the afternoon, Mr. Venugopal expressed deep concern over alleged "lack of coordination between the Forest Department and the Travancore Devaswom Board" in providing basic facilities to pilgrims at Sabarimala. The District Collector, Rabeendra Kumar Agarwal, and the District Superintendent of Police, T. Chandran, also attended the meeting. Mr. Venugopal said a Delhi-based firm, Ecosmart, was expected to submit a master plan for Sabarimala soon and the Government would finalise it after discussions with the TDB and other agencies.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | Home |
Copyright © 2004, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
