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Sabarimala witnesses heavy rush

PATHANAMTHITTA: Sabarimala witnessed heavy rush on Saturday. The influx of pilgrims to the holy hillock was so heavy that the pilgrims, including elderly women and children, had to wait for hours together on the trekking path for the holy darshan, braving the chilling cold in the night and the scorching sun in the day time.

The barricade leading to the Sannidhanam from Marakkoottom on the traditional trekking path was found crowded with devotees and many were found exhausted by the long wait. At times, the queue for darshan was found to have extended even beyond Marakkoottom.

The heavy rush prompted the police to strictly enforce a one-way system on the trekking path. Sannidhanam-bound pilgrims were diverted via Saramkuthi from Marakkoottom and those returning from the Sannidhanam were diverted through the Chandranandan Road leading to Marakkoottom to ease the congestion.

The regulated sale of Aravana owing to short supply of containers and flip-lids continued on Saturday.

Travancore Devaswom Board president C.K. Gupthan said the total revenue collection at Sabarimala during the first 13 days of the 41-day Mandalam festival was Rs.11.05 crore. Of this, Rs.5.09 crore came from pilgrims’ offerings and Rs.4.33 crore from Aravana sale.

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