The Sabarimala temple in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district was opened to devotees early Saturday after nearly seven months due to the coronavirus pandemic, as worshipers wore masks and carried a certificate showing they did not have Covid-19. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the hilltop shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, opened the temple on Friday for a five-day monthly pooja.
The temple, one of the richest in the country, was closed to devotees on March 18, days before the first national closure was enforced. There were plans to reopen in June, but many organizations and temple tantri (high priest) were opposed.
The temple foundation has said it will allow pilgrims to offer prayers from Saturday, the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam, until October 21. Up to 246 devotees, only 250 people will be able to enter the temple in one day, they have booked through the virtual queue system for darshan on Saturday. TDB has said that all pilgrims will need to carry negative Covid-19 certificates obtained only 48 hours before arriving in Pambha.
Devotees can forgo the masks while hiking with experts who warn that the masks cause respiratory problems for pilgrims climbing heights. Pilgrims under the age of 10 and over the age of 60 are still unable to make the trek and will have to wait for the Covid-19 situation to improve, the TDB said. Pilgrims will not be able to stay in Sannidhanam, Nilackkal or Pamba due to the pandemic.
Special showers have been installed, as this time the usual bathing in the Pamba River will not be allowed. Devotees will be allowed to enter via the Vadasserikara and Erumeli routes and all other forest routes will be sealed off, TDB said.
The shrine will be closed after the performance of ‘Hari Varasanam’ on October 21. Devotees from five southern Indian states flock to the temple and between 500,000 and 800,000 visit the shrine in one day during peak season.
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