Pathanamthitta: Sabarimala PO, 689713- a post office, that has its own postal seal and pin code in Kerala, and opens only for three months in a year is none other than Lord Ayyapan at Sannidhanam.
Sabarimala Post Office which commenced operations in 1963 functions only for three months every year. The postal seal here is also unique and different from the other post offices. The seal used here has the image of the Sabarimala Ayyappa idol and that of the 18 golden steps embossed on it.
Many of the pilgrims who visit Sabarimala for Ayyappa darshan also send a postcard to their families and friends with the Ayyappan seal from Sabarimala Post Office at Sannidhanam. Lord Ayyappan also gets many postal mails - invitations for weddings, house warming ceremonies and such programmes, Thank you notes and more - from the devotees.
Besides postal services, facilities for sending instant money order and mobile recharge to cater to the present-day needs, and ‘My Stamp’ with Ayyappa images are also available at Sabarimala post Office.
Also read: Kerala temple resumes 'chandana prasadam' tradition
Special facilities have also been arranged by the postal department, at this post office, for the devotees who are not able to visit the temple this pilgrim season, due to the COVID pandemic situation here. The devotees can pay the amount for Prasadam at any nearest Post office in India to get the Prasadam from Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa’s Sannidhanam delivered to them anywhere in India.
Sabarimala Post Office becomes functional and active only during the Mandala- Makaravilakku pilgrimage period. With the conclusion of the pilgrim season, the Post Office also shuts down.
Following this, the special seal with Ayyappa image is kept safe until the next year’s annual pilgrimage period at the Ranni Postal Inspector’s office. This year, three postal staff - Post Master Nidheesh Prasad, and two postmen Jishnu Chandran and Manu Mohan - were appointed by the Postal department for service here.
