Thiruvananthapuram: All arrangements, in compliance with COVID 19 guidelines, have been done to facilitate darshan at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
It is after more than 6 months of a total ban on pilgrim entry at the temple owing to COVID, that the devotees will be entering the temple for darshan on Saturday for the Masa pooja (the monthly pooja) of the Malayalam month of Thulam.
As many as 250 pilgrims who have registered in advance would be allowed entry to trek to the temple shrine in a virtual queue system. The time slot specifically allotted at the time of registering has to be followed strictly. Stringent COVID 19 precautions are in place and the visiting pilgrims are to comply with the same and cooperate with the officials. Crowding up will not be allowed under any circumstance. A posse of police led by the Superintendent of Police (SP) has been deployed to ensure COVID regulations during the pilgrimage.
A lab report, testifying that the person has tested negative for COVID within 48 hours from the time slot for visiting the temple, and a medical certificate, certifying that the person is fit to trek up to the hill temple and does not have other health problems, has been made mandatory for the pilgrims. All pilgrims registering through the virtual queue system must produce these medical certificates on arrival. Pilgrims would be let to enter only through Vadasserikkara and Erumeli paths.
The pilgrims must also carry their own masks, sanitiser and gloves. They must wear the masks at all times other than while trekking up the hill. Bathing in the River Pamba will not be allowed considering the current pandemic situation. Special shower spaces have been facilitated to bath before entering. Hospitals have also been readied at Nilakkal, Pamba and Sannidhanam, the CM added, elaborating on the facilities arranged for the pilgrimage amid COVID.
The temple is to open for Thulam Masa poojas on Friday evening and devotees would be allowed to enter provided they with all regulations from Saturday morning.
