Sabarimala opens for Thulām pūjā as Kerala's Devaswom Minister flags gaps before the Maṇḍalam season
Minister K. Muraleedharan said the Travancore Devaswom Board has not finished repairs to the aravaṇa pāyasam plant, now due on 5 November, has not finalised the rice contract and lacks coordination with police on crowd control.
- ThePrint (PTI)
Minister K. Muraleedharan said the Travancore Devaswom Board has not finished repairs to the aravaṇa pāyasam plant, now due on 5 November, has not finalised the rice contract and lacks coordination with police on crowd control. The new Sabarimala and Malikappuram Melśāntis were chosen by draw of lots on 18 October.
Key data
Shrine open 18 to 22 Oct. 29,000 devotees on 17 Oct. 2 lakh tins of aravaṇa in stock. The 41-day Maṇḍalam season opens on 17 Nov.
Why it matters
It is one of the world's largest annual pilgrimages, and after this week's stampedes, crowd-control readiness matters more than ever.
GK: did you know?
The deity is worshipped as Dharma Śāstā in the form of a naiṣṭhika brahmacārī. The 18 sacred steps are called the Patinettām Paṭi, and the shrine lies in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
