A batch of 200 pilgrims walked all the way from Hyderabad to Sannidhanam. They belong to 'Okalpol' viilage in Andhra Pradesh. They departed their home village on 3rd November 2008 and reached Sannidhanam on 9th December 2008. Their 37 days journey took them through through Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kumuli, Vandiperiyar and Uppupara. Total distance traversed was more than 1200 kms. Led by Venugopal Guruswamy, for the last 18 years, they walking to Sannidhanam during the festival season.
It is understood that most modern anti-terrorism/security equipment is being procured and will be installed along the pilgrimage route, especially the Pampa - Sannidhanam stretch. It is most welcome move. Equipment worth Rs 13.5 Crores will be procures. Out of this Rs 4.5 Crores worth of equipment has already been bought while the remaining equipment will be positioned before the next season.
These will include metal detectors (fixed and portable), ion scanners, bomb disposal suits, bomb disposal boxes/blankets and such devices.
It is heartening to see, through the e-mails being received from devotees, that is spite of the stringent security measures in force during the period 3-7th Dec, there was absolutely no chaos and that pilgrims could visit the temple in an organised manner and without unnecessary delays. From now on, these measures should become 'normal routine' and not 'emergency measures'.
I would like you place on record my appreciation for the yeoman, logical and organised service rendered by Shri Jayakumar IAS who is handling all the complexities at Sannidhanam.
The Web Master
Mail from a devotee:
From: mallikleo@gmail.com
Sir,
I had visited Sabarimala on 29th of November, 2008. We reached Pampa at about
1.30 am and started trekking at about 3 am. We reached Sannidhanam by 5 am and
we had the darshan of the Lord by 6 am.
Though the inflow of pilgrims is quite heavy that day, the authorities still
made an effort so that they was no heavy jostling among the crowd and from the
queue complex inf ront of Pathinaettambadi to Sree Kovil is quite smooth and
relatively quick. I was impressed with the arrangements made. Also, the
installation of metal detector and scanning at the top of the queue added in
reduced jostling at Pathinettampadi.
Aravanam is available and the authorities had started delivering the tins at the
same counter where amount was paid. They had, atlast, done away with stupid
system of paying money at one counter and joining the queue at another to
collect the tins.
The fleecing by shopkeepers is usual.
Slush had been a problem there. The slopes had become very slippery. There had
been a mention of using geotextile tiles on trekking path to prevent slushing
but I did not see anything other than ordinary coir mat at some places.
I appreciate the TDB for the small measures they have taken up to improve the
experience of pilgrims and I hope they continue to do so in future.
Thanking You,
Regards,
Mallikarjuna Reddi
I was really amused to read about the 'Annadanam' being conducted by Travancore Devaswom Board (Isn't it time that we called them 'Kerala Devaswom Board').
The quality of food is reported to be so putrid that the pilgrims throw it off into the nearest dust bins. It has actually become a problem disposing off so much of rubbish.
The 'annadanam provided by Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham is well favoured by the devotees. We maintain certain degree of quality. Our 'Annadanam' service is permitted to be open only an hour after the 'Devaswom Board' 'Annadanam' opens.....This is based on a report I read in Malayala Manorama on 08 Dec 08 at Bangalore.
Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham is daily providing approximately 12,000 meals at Pampa and 10,000 meals at Sannidhanam through donations received from devotees.
Security Measures from 4th to 7th December 2008 (both dates inclusive)
Carrying of mobile phones in and around Sannidhanam has been banned between 5th and 7th December 2008. Even though the authorities have stated that they would be making reasonable arrangements to hold the mobile phones in safe custody, any prudent person would understand the tremendous difficulties that would be experienced, considering the huge flow of pilgrims. There is just no way to store so many mobile phones. Your mobile phones would get lost.
DO NOT CARRY your mobile phones past Pampa. If you do so, you are doing it at your risk. If you do not surrender your mobile phone, you will not be permitted to visit the temple. Suspicions and criminal action could also be aroused.
No person without 'Irumudi' will be allowed to enter temple premises for a darshan through any of the entrances.
Pilgrims will not be permitted to open their 'irumudis' in the temple premises. Irumudis will be X-rayed before you are allowed to enter the temple. All sharp objects will be removed.
No sling/shoulder bags will be permitted while climbing 'Pathinettam Padi' or when in the precincts of the temple.
'Kanikka Pettis' will be placed below 'Pathinettam Padi'. No 'Kanikka Petti' will be available at 'Sopanam'.
The 'nei thoni' has been also been placed outside the temple.
Throwing of coins at the steps of the Sanctum Sanctorium during darshan is prohibited.
Strict vigilance and regulation will be enforced at the 'Homa Kundam' and at the place where the 'nei thoni' is located.
On your return journey, YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITED to have a darshan at the Pampa temple.
Travancore Devaswom Board - ROC No 1074/08/Sab dated 10 Nov 08
To
Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham
Fort PO
Thiruvanthapuram
This office letter of even number dated 05 Nov 08.
Referring to the above, I may inform you that sanction has been accorded to Ayyappa Seva Sangham to conduct free feeding to the pilgrims at Sabarimala in the hall near Malikapuram temple in connection with the Sabarimala festivals in1184 ME.
Necessary instructions have been issued to the Chief Engineer and Executive Officer, Sabarimala to render all assistance to your trust for conducting the Annadhanam to the pilgrims. The committee shall remit the current charge and water charge to the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Sd/-
For Devasom Commissioner
Dy Devaswom Commissioner, Admin
Mail received from a pilgrim who had booked accommodation, almost one month back, at at Sannidhanam:
Dear Uncle,
I refer to the following mail which was sent to me in response to my mail to
uncle requesting uncle's assistance for lodging at ABASS for some of my `swamy`
friends.
I am really disappointed to inform uncle that when they went to ABASS at
Sabarimala on 20thNovember night carrying copy of uncle's mail, they were
grossly neglected and the copy of the mail was chucked into a dustbin. It seems
it was one Mr. ***** there who attended to them and who sarcastically told
them off.
Later, this group managed to get the assistance of some of the workers at ABASS
( whom they have seen during their previous visits) by paying them and they were
allowed to `stay` there for the night. Mind you uncle, 3 or 4 in this group are
LIFE members of ABASS from Malaysia and this group, every year, contribute
substantially to ABASS ( I do not know whether this contribution is officially
taken up). A few of my other friends also contribute to ABASS whenever they go
there.
For your information, this group (Most of them are professionals) had come all
the way from Malaka to see Tantri Shri Kantararu Mahaswararu when he was here
and had contributed handsomely.
Regards
Rajan Menon., Malaysia
If this is the fate of loyal devotees who come with advance notice, I wonder what happens to other devotees. I had reminded Shri Velyudhan Nair at the headquarters many times and he had confirmed the arrangements. If office bearers are rude or abrasive to the pilgrims, then they must be eased out of their portfolio..
The Web Master
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During every pilgrimage season, there are fatalities mainly due to heart attacks. Generally these heart attacks take place around Neelimala or Appachimedu. It must be remembered that the slopes are steep and that pilgrims tend to climb these slopes in a religious frenzy without taking adequate rest in between. The basic health/cardiac condition of the patient may be suspect and it is quite possible that in cases of marginal fitness, symptoms are aggravated during this sudden stress. Because of this, warning boards are placed en-route advising pilgrims to make frequent `pauses' in their climb en-route to Sannidhanam.
During the Mandala - Makara Vilakku season, Cardiac Care Centres operate at Pampa, Appachimedu and Sannidhanam. Ayyappa Seva Sangham is the main voluntary agency that provides medical aid during these seasons. Other Centres are operated by Apollo Hospitals and SAHAS. However, during the monthly opening days, ABASS is the sole agency providing this sort of assistance. A suspect cardiac pilgrim is likely to encounter the initial onset of problems while climbing through Neelimala. Appachimedu being further up, by the time the suspect pilgrim reaches Appachimedu Cardiac Care Centre, he is likely to be in the throes of a second attack. So should there be two Cardiac Care Centres one at Neelimala and another one at Appachimedu? And if the decision is to have only a single Cardiac Care Centre on the slopes, where should this be located optimally?
Are security arrangements at Sabarimala adequate during those periods when the temple is closed? It is my earnest belief that a minimum deterrence police force needs to be placed there. Do you think that a few `Watch and Ward' staff constitute what could be termed an adequate deterrent force?
Excise and law enforcement agencies need to take proactive steps to ensure that the pilgrimage areas are kept free of liquor. Random conversations with pilgrims indicate that the law enforcement authorities have not succeeded in totally preventing the sale of liquor in the pilgrimage areas. This menace is especially noticeable, in and around Pampa Bus Stand and Car Parking area, during the tail end of the pilgrimage season (i.e. 14th Jan to 20th Jan). Taxis come laden with illicit liquor, park in the car parking areas and sell liquor. Excise and police authorities need to exercise strict vigil to stamp out this evil.
Rate of Arrival of Pilgrims
Approximate number of pilgrims who have visited Sabarimala during the past three years:-
1997-1998 20,000,000
1998-1999 27,000,000
1999-2000 29,000,000
Out of the total figure, 65 % are from the neighbouring States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the remaining 35 % are from Kerala and other States. . 7 % of pilgrims are Muslims and 5 % are Christians.
The money offered by the pilgrims comes in all denominations. The number of coins offered pose a huge problem in terms of counting. Coins of the value of 5 paise to 25 paise are not even counted as there are huge quantities. Instead they are weighed. The weighing tally is as follows:-
| 2 Kgs of | 5 paise | coins | = Rs 033.35 |
| 1 Kg of | big 10 paise | coins | = Rs 043.00 |
| 1 Kg of | small 10 paise | coins | = Rs 057.00 |
| 1 Kg of | steel 10 paise | coins | = Rs 052.00 |
| 1 Kg of | steel 20 paise | coins | = Rs 091.00 |
| 1 Kg of | nickel 25 paise | coins | = Rs100.00 |
| 1 Kg of | steel 25 paise | coins | = Rs 090.00 |
Coins of denominations 50 paise, one rupee, five rupees, etc are counted in bulks of 2000 and verified. There are 220 employees employed full time for this counting and verification operation in the Devaswom treasury. Dhanalakshmi Bank authorities are also co-located in the treasury and they take over the amount on counting and verification.
Trekking through dense forests, Pattiyama, aged 97, has been visiting Sabarimala over the last 44 years. Pattiyama makes it a point to visit the temple not only during the peak season of Mandala Pooja and Makara Vilakku, but also on other occasions when the temple opens for pooja i.e. first day of malayalam months, Onam, Vishu etc, Hailing from Andipady in Madurai district, Pattiyama travels along the forest path from Andipady to Sannidhanam via Vallamkadavu, Uppupara, Poonakavanam and Pandithavalam covering a distance of 29 kms all alone.
Pattiyama exhibits a lot of courage. Most of the times she travels alone along the lonely and dangerous forest trails, Her eternal trust in and devotion to Lord Ayyappa, she says, gives her the bodily sustenance and mental courage to do this. Over the last 40 years, carrying her Irumudi Kettu, she has climbed the `Pathinettam Padi' more than 500 times. The divine protection she enjoys, she says, has been evident to her many times when she needed it most.
Many years back, during her pilgrimage, she was caught in the midst of a severe storm. Heavy rain and fierce winds forced her to take shelter under a tree in the thick forest. Drenched to the skin and not knowing what course of action to follow, all she could do was pray to Ayyappa. By the time the storm subsided, it was pitch dark. She elected to continue her trek in the dark. After travelling some distance, she realised that she had lost her way. Again chanting `Saranam Ayyappa' she took refuge under a tree. All of a sudden, she saw a human form coming towards her. It was a woman pilgrim heading towards her. Without exchanging any words, the visitor guided Pattiyama to the correct path, carefully traversing treacherous and slippery mountain slopes. All of a sudden, Pattiyama found herself at Sannidhanam. Awe struck and lost in devotion, she turned to thank the stranger who had guided her. There was no one to be seen anywhere nearby. Pattiyama is convinced that it was none but the Lord who had come to her rescue.
(From the book `Sabarimalyude Anaswarya Sandesham')
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In spite of Cardiac Care units and oxygen parlours set up at Pampa, Neelimala, Appachimedu and Sannidhanam, there have been many deaths during the pilgrimage. The figures are as follows:-
In almost 99 % of these cases, cardiac problems were the main cause. Most of the pilgrims do not know their own cardiac state. The climb up to Sannidhanam is steep. In case of any lurking cardiac ailments, it starts showing up during the climb. Devotion to Lord Ayyappa does not mean that you have to climb non-stop. Please take frequent and adequate rest during your climb up Karimala, Neelimala and Appachimedu. Please be careful and look after yourself..... |
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