TN pilgrims drop; yet temple revenue soars

Ceremonial procession carrying the Thanka Anki, offered by the late Chithira Tirunaal Balarama Varma of the erstwhile Travancore royal dynasty to the temple, reached Pamba by Monday noon after four-day journey, starting from Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. It was received at Saramkuthi by Devaswom officials along with police officers and Ayyappa Seva Sangham volunteers. The sacred golden attire was received by tanthri and melsanthi at Sannidhanam and it was taken to the sanctum sanctorum to perfo 


Mandalam Makaravilakku pilgrim season at Sabarimala has reached almost the last lap.

Observing Mandala Pooja on Tuesday, the 41st day of the season, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has managed to maintain peaceful functioning of every department at Pamba Sannidhanam stretch.
The first lap also witnessed heavy pilgrim rush on several days and the queue stretched till Pamba. Many pilgrims had to stand for hours to reach Sannidhanam.
The temple income also reached an all-time record despite fewer pilgrims from Tamil Nadu visiting the shrine on account of the Mullaperiyar tangle.
Police estimate that over 40 lakh pilgrims had visited the Sanctum Sanctorum till December 26. They believe 1 lakh pilgrims reach the Sannidhanam every day on an average. In effect, it’s been a fruitful pilgrimage so far despite problems and controversies outnumbered the achievements on ground zero.
Achievements:
1) Punyam poonkavanam – a major cleanliness drive launched by the TDB – to keep the Sannidhanam and Sabari Hills clean received good response from pilgrims. The project was supported by various organisations including Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham, Matha Amritanandamayi Mutt, NSS and others. Thousands of volunteers joined them, including journalists, which gave a real facelift to Sabarimala which otherwise used to be in the grip of stinking waste till last year.
2) Incinerator installed for waste management at Sannidhanam has been a great achievement as it played a major role in reducing solid waste heaped in and around Sannidhanam premises. The plastic crusher installed at Neelimala also reduced plastic waste.
3) The Virtual queue which is running on an experimental basis has become a big success though the system has its drawbacks like for instance multiple booking. However, police officers say, the shortcomings would be overcome during the next season.
Problems:
1) The construction of Bailey bridge (sarana sethu) continues to be avoided by pilgrims and the structure has become an outstanding example of how government funds could be wasted away on thoughtless and useless projects. Most pilgrims don’t use the structure built by the Indian army personnel on a record time, which was meant to decongest the crowd, since it’s too steep.
2) Pilgrims still don’t find proper resting places as the traditional shelters were removed by the authorities as part of the proposed Master Plan.
3) The State government has deployed 3,000 police personnel for the season along with 153 Fire and Rescue team, 120 Rapid Action Force, 30 National Disaster Response Force and 12 Commandos. However, instead of helping pilgrims, police personnel have become a menace to many. Civil service officials and media fraternity were the major victims of police high-handedness.
4) Pulmedu – the place where 106 pilgrims lost their lives in a notorious stampede during last year still remains a question mark before everyone. The TDB, in fact, has already decided to light up the Sathrapadi-Uppupara stretch from January 10 in an effort to avoid any mishap. The TDB decision has not gone down well with the State Forest Department officials who believe that lighting the heart of Periyar Tiger Reserve would alter the behaviour of wild animals.
Controversies:
1) Aravana has always been an object of controversy as far as Sabarimala is concerned. The specially prepared payasam this season too kept its date with the controversy as authorities destroyed 20,000 cans of aravana after it was found poor quality jiggery had gone to its making. Initial laboratory reports proved the jaggery used was good enough. With the laboratory asking for buffer stock samples Devaswom vigilance has started an enquiry.
2) Another controversy unfolded at the Hill Srine when Rahul Eshwar – grandson of tantri Kandararu Maheshwararu – was prevented from entering the sanctum sanctorum. The father later moved to court on Dec. 14 seeking justice.
3) The temple observed a pancha punyaham on Dec. 19 after Saraswathy, aged 35, a native of Andhra Pradesh climbed the 18 holy steps to have darshan of Lord Ayyappa. The RAF personnel were quick in identifying the lady who was later handed over to the police.
4) The move to relocate the copra plant to Pandithavalam has stirred a hornet’s nest. The proposal is to move the copra plant and to build a gallery for the pilgrims to watch Makaravilakku – the celestial light. However, many believe the ill-conceived move could result in another tragedy as the space can’t contain crowds thronging Makaravilakku festival.