Sabarimala Devotees Allowed on Traditional Route to Temple as Kerala Eased Covid Curbs | Key Points

Besides, primary health care facilities will be set up in Neelimala and Appachimedu.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala state government has decided to open the traditional route to the Sabarimala temple from Pampa via Neelimala, Appachimedu, and Marakoottam. The decision has been made owing to the steady decline in the Covid-19 cases in the state.

The decision was taken during a meeting held between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan.

According to the revised guidelines:

• Primary healthcare facilities have been set up at Appachimedu and Neelimala.
• Reports have it that around 500 rooms have also been set up in line with COVID-19 protocols to facilitate overnight stay at Sannidhanam for the devotees.

As per the statement released from the Chief Minister’s office, bathing and bali tharpanam rituals will be allowed in the Pampa River after the local administration assesses the water level. Reportedly, the Sabarimala temple opened in mid-November for two months amid a slew of precautionary measures.

• RT-PCR test report that has been taken within 72 hours will be mandatory, while two doses of COVID-19 vaccination certificate will be required for visiting the Lord Ayyappa shrine.
• Health department officials have also been deployed at treatment centres from Pamba to Sannidhanam, while the state government has set up oxygen facilities and emergency medical centres at five places along this route.
• Special dispensaries had also been set up at various points including Sannidhanam, Nilakkal, Pampa, Nilakkal, Erumeli, and Charalmedu (Ayyappan Road).