Pathanamthitta: The Sabarimala temple will be open this evening for this year’s Mandalakala festival. The new priest of Sannidhanam and Malikappuram will take charge today.
There will be no special poojas today. Devotees will be allowed to climb the hill from tomorrow morning. Devotees booked through the virtual queue will arrive for the darshan.
Admission is limited to 1000 people per day. 2000 people will be allowed on Saturday and Sunday. The covid negative certificate will be given by the devotees within 24 hours.
There is a facility to check COVID for those who do not have the certificate. Bathing in the Pampa River is not allowed. The Department of Health has set up kiosks for Covid testing. The services of doctors and paramedical staff are available. Pilgrims should take the Swami Ayyappan Road. Sanitizing kiosks are available at Sannidhanam, Nilakkal, Base Camp, Pampa. The construction of roads is complete. KSRTC will run 25 buses on the Pampa-Nilakkal route.
The Mandala festival lasts till December 26.
The temple will open on December 30 for the Makaravilakku festival. Makaravilakku is on January 14.
