Kerala   

Heavy rush of pilgrims continues

PATHANAMTHITTA: The heavy rush of pilgrims coming from Kumily through the Pulmedu path via Uppupara has put the crowd management team at Sabarimala in a tight spot.

The pilgrims (majority of them from the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh) had to wait for hours on Tuesday in the thickly packed barricades to reach the temple precincts.

The police machinery was left with no option but to block the flow of pilgrims at certain points for a few hours, in an effort to regulate the crowd at the Sannidhanam.

Several devotees, including children and the elderly, are reported to have swooned unable to withstand the mental and physical pressure of the long wait.

Many pilgrims, waiting in the queue, were found climbing the steep granite wall, to reach the Lower Thirumuttom.

The crowd was blocked at Pampa Manalpuram periodically.

Pilgrims were also blocked on the traditional trekking path at Marakkoottom, 2 km. from the Sannidhanam, at regular intervals.

The one-way system between the Sannidhanam and Marakkoottom continued on Tuesday. M. Rajendran, Special Commissioner appointed by the High Court, is camping at the Sannidhanam to monitor the operations.

The procession carrying Thanka Anki will reach Pampa by 12 noon on Wednesday.

The golden attire will be taken to the Sannidhanam by the Ayyappa Seva Sanghom volunteers in the afternoon.

The Ayyappa idol at Sabarimala will be adorned with the golden attire prior to the ‘deeparadhana.’

The Mandalapuja will be performed at the Ayyappa temple between 12.29 p.m. and 12.40 p.m. on Thursday.

The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja later in the evening marking the culmination of the 41-day Mandalam festival.

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