Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120550960200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Vodafone introduces ‘Sabarimala pack’

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Vodafone Essar on Thursday announced a range of special services for pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala.

The ‘Sabarimala pack’ offers pilgrims temple timings, prasadam information and other important events during the Mandala season.

Devotees can activate the pack by dialling 567696 at a call rate of 30 paisa a minute. This pack offers customers a range of devotional caller tunes and ring tones for a one-time subscription of Rs. 49 which will be live till January 31. The new ‘Ayyappa alert pack’ offers mantras and trivia on Lord Ayyappa for a monthly rental of Rs. 30. A customer can activate the alert pack by dialling *123*521#. or sending an SMS - ACT VAAYAPPA - to 111.Vodafone has installed a portable cell site (cell site on wheels) in the parking lot at Nilackal for better coverage. Vodafone has got into an arrangement with Kerala Police for providing police assistance to pilgrims.

Emergency numbers 9946100100 and 9946700700 will reach the police control room at Sannidhanam and Nilackal. Recharge zones are installed at various locations for the devotees.