Travancore Devaswom Board launches a special gate system for children at Sabarimala to ease their pilgrimage.
Agency(Pathanamthitta): Responding to concerns raised by the Congress-led UDF opposition and the BJP about the lack of adequate facilities for devotees at Sabarimala’s hill-top shrine, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has introduced a special gate system designed specifically for children. This new arrangement, effective from Sunday morning, aims to facilitate a smoother and more direct darshan (viewing) of Lord Ayyappa for young pilgrims, thereby bypassing the lengthy queues.
The TDB’s initiative has been met with widespread approval, particularly among parents, including those visiting from outside Kerala. This system not only enhances the pilgrimage experience for children but also significantly reduces the waiting time for families after their ascent from Pampa.
TDB President P S Prashanth highlighted the board’s commitment to the government’s directive, focusing on maximizing facilities for women, children, and differently-abled individuals. In line with this commitment, the TDB also announced the upcoming provision of free Wi-Fi service at Sabarimala. This service, aimed at aiding devotees who struggle with network connectivity issues, will offer each devotee 30 minutes of access and is set to feature 15 Wi-Fi hotspots in its first phase. BSNL, the state-owned telecommunications company, has been tasked with setting up these hotspots and has already initiated free Wi-Fi service at the queue complexes.
Sabarimala has witnessed a significant surge in visitors since the commencement of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakkku pilgrimage season, which began on November 17, marking the start of the Malayalam month of Vrichikam. The 41-day pilgrimage season attracts a large number of devotees, making the implementation of these new facilities particularly timely and beneficial.