Sabarimala temple to open today

The police have made elaborate security arrangements at Sabarimala and along the Elavumkal-Nilackal-Pampa route in view of the opening of the Ayyappa temple on Tuesday afternoon for the five-day monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Kumbhom, which begins on Wednesday.

District Police Chief T. Narayanan said 700 civil police officers would be deployed at Sabarimala, Pampa, Nilackal, and Elavumkal from February 12 to 17.

Three Superintendents of Police would be in charge of the police force to be deployed at Nilackal, Pampa, and Sabarimala from Tuesday. Two Deputy Superintendents and four Circle Inspectors would be posted at these three places to assist the SPs there, he said. The DPC said no private vehicles would be permitted to proceed to Pampa from Nilackal from February 12 to 17.

Pilgrims have to park their vehicles at Nilackal base camp and proceed to Pampa and return from there to Nilackal in the chain services operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation during the period, he said.

Pilgrims would be permitted to proceed to Pampa fom Nilackal only from 10 a.m. on Tuesday as part of the security arrangements.

The police have beefed up security along the Elavumkal-Sabarimala stretch, anticipating protests after a few women’s groups announced their decision to visit Sabarimala during the monthly puja period.

The Supreme Court is yet to decide on the petitions seeking review of its earlier verdict permitting the entry of women of all age groups to Sabarimala.

Courtesy : The Hindu