Sabarimala may ban entry of senior citizens in 2020 |
Doing away with queues, COVID-19 negative certificates for devotees, but with a bar on the elderly and children are among the measures suggested by a court-appointed official for the peak annual pilgrimage season at the Lord Ayyappa`s shrine in Sabarimala. Beginning from November 16, the season spans a little over two months when several thousand devotees throng the hill shrine. To overcome the risk, the report says the authorities should ensure hygiene at shops, hotels, and the supply of drinking water, besides staff accommodation. The report adds that it is better to avoid pilgrims of over 60 years of age and younger than ten years. Moreover, no accommodation should be provided at the main temple premises, Pamba or Nilackal, the base stations. It also says that queue in any place should be avoided at any cost and physical distancing should be strictly maintained. The Kerala government had on September 28, announced steps to conduct the annual pilgrimage to the Lord Ayyappa temple, stressing that the COVID-19 protocol should be strictly implemented. The temple would be opened for devotees on the evening of the 16th of October and the regular poojas would be held for five days starting from the next day, which is the first day of Malayalam month `Thulam`. The annual `Mandala Makaravilakku`s season would commence on the 16th of November.
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