Sabari In Grip Of Infection Fear

Fear of contagious diseases breaking out anytime now has gripped Sabarimala after incessant rains in the last two days ruined efforts to keep the premises of the hill shrine clean.


Filthy water and waste materials from higher areas like Pandithavalam are flowing down on to the temple premises following the rain.


One can see overflowing sewage lines and broken slabs from the Annadana Centre of Akhil Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sanghom and the area is stinking.


The situation near the Aravana counter is no better. Devotees hardly use the newly built Bailey bridge so as to avoid the nauseating stink rising from the drainage canal.


“The rain had affected the sanitation works but we have resumed the cleanliness drive on Monday morning,” said a senior officer of the Devaswom Board.


At Sannidhanam, pilgrims are left at the mercy of rain gods as there are not enough shelters for them following the demolition of viripanthals and makeshift rest rooms.


“We have no place to take rest or keep our things. Last night we slept on the staircase near the post office at Sannidhanam and were forced to have food in the open place which is surrounded by filth and is stinking,'' said Mr Saravanan, a pilgrim from Tamil Nadu.


Excise officer dies of heart attack
Muraleedharan Nair (55), an excise preventive officer from Nedumangad range who was deployed at Sabarimala, died after suffering a heart attack on Monday morning.


He had collapsed during duty at Sannidhanam in the previous night and had been admitted to Sahas Cardilolgy Centre near Sannidhanam.