Date:19/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/19/stories/2008111956291000.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Keep Sabarimala temple open all through the year: BJP

Special Correspondent

O. Rajagopal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded that the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board keep the Sabarimala Ayyappa Swamy temple open for darshan throughout the year to avoid rush of pilgrims during the festival season.

Mr. Rajagopal and BJP Sabarimala Action Committee convenor V.N. Unni told reporters here on Tuesday that already the temple was being opened for darshan for 205 days a year, for occasions such as Vishu, Onam and monthly pujas.

So, extending the darshan throughout the year would not go against customs or tradition, they said. The government and the board should take the initiative to construct a ropeway for pilgrims, they said.

‘Annadanam’ (feeding of pilgrims) was obstructed in the Pampa on November 16, since private registered trusts were denied the right to feed them free of cost.

The board had initially permitted the trust headed by Swamy Ayyappadas to offer ‘annadanam,’ but later backtracked. The trust, which had prepared food for 3,000 pilgrims, suffered a heavy loss, they said.

Lack of amenities

They accused the government of failing to provide basic amenities including sufficient resting space for the pilgrims.

No arrangements have been made for timely disposal of waste at Sabarimala.

Only Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran visited the ‘Sannidhanam’ to review the arrangements made by his department. All other Ministers, including Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, only attended a review meeting on the eve of the Mandalam festival and did not verify claims of the officials.