Musings of the Web Master

The views expressed herein are `without malice towards anyone' and are purely my personal views. The idea is to to bring to the surface some of the complaints that ordinary pilgrims have relating to their Sabarimala pilgrimage so that remedial actions could be initiated.

Swamy Saranam

Late Dr PA Velayudhan Pillai was the Founder of Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham (ABASS). Yours Truly, Wg Cdr VG Kumar (Retd) is the son of the Founder. In fond memory of my father, I along with my family members, created this site and placed it on the World Wide Web. I maintain this site on an almost daily basis. The aim of the site is to provide comprehensive information about ABASS, Sabarimala Temple, Lord Ayyappa and the Sabarimala pilgrimage. We also try to provide as much organisational assistance as we can to enable the pilgrims to safely undertake Sabarimala pilgrimage.

We earnestly look forward to making this site a truly comprehensive site in respect of Lord Ayyappa, Sabarimala and Sabarimala pilgrimage. We know that it would not be possible without active assistance and constructive suggestions from all well wishers. Written contributions are also welcome from viewers. Information relating to activities of various branches, notable activities of individuals in various branches could also form part of this site. All contributions and suggestions could be sent by surface mail or email. Please look up the `Contact Information of ABASS HQ at Thiruvananthapuram' page for address details.

I would also like to request viewers to point out errors/omissions, flaws, factual errors, spelling mistakes, etc if there are any. This would help me enhance the quality of the web site.

The Web Master can be contacted at gensecy@saranamayyappa.org

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.

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