Pilgrims moving towards Kerala as the Sabarimala pilgrimage begins

SABARIMALA: In Kerala the Sabarimala pilgrimage beginon Thursday, however over 100 pilgrims were killed in a stampede early this year during the pilgrimage.

On Thursday morning as the sanctum sanctorum of the famed temple opened at 3 a.m. sharp on the first day of Malayalam month Vrishickam. Temple melshanthi N. Balamurali opened the doors for the two-month-long pilgrimage season amid shouts of ‘Swamiye Sharanamayappa’.

The temple, situated on a hilltop, has been crowded since Wednesday evening and pilgrims mostly from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh stood in five queues – each extending to over a kilometre – waiting for the temple to open. With tragedy striking last season, this time the number of security personnel has been increased. A new footpath, a new bridge and a slew of other measures have been taken to decongest the route.
Director General of Police of Kerala, Jacob Punnoose said that for a smoother and less crowded atmosphere, they have set up blocks en route to the temple to avoid any stampede in case of an excessive rush of devotees.

Minister V.S. Sivakumar of State Devasom, the organisation that looks after the temple administration said this time there has been a change in the time at which the temple would open. It will open at 3 a.m. till 1 p.m. and then open again at 3 p.m. till 11.45 p.m.

Since Wednesday heavy rush was witnessed at the Kottayam railway station since when pilgrims arrived in large numbers from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. With the administration still organising steps for a smooth pilgrimage, the scene was chaotic.
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