First President to pray at Sabarimala; Draupadi Murmu to follow rituals and climb hill like every Ayyappa devotee

PATHANAMTHITTA: Draupadi Murmu, the first President to visit Sabarimala, is likely to climb the hill on foot by carrying Irumudi Kettu from Pampa. Indira Gandhi had expressed her desire to climb Sabarimala when she was the Prime Minister. The security department had planned to build a helipad at Sannidhanam for her to land directly but the idea was withdrawn due to opposition.

President Draupadi Murmu, who is over 66 years old, will land in a helicopter at Nilakkal after taking off from Kumarakom. She will reach Pampa by car and prepare Irumudi Kettu. She will stay at the Devaswom Guest House or the Sabari Guest House in Sannidhanam. The time of the darshan has not been specified.

The District Collector and the police have received a notification from the President's office that Draupadi Murmu will be in Sabarimala on the 18th and 19th. The temple nada will open on the 14th of this month for the Edava month puja. It will close at 10 pm on the 19th. The last two days have been chosen to reduce the inconvenience to other pilgrims. There will be restrictions on allowing virtual queues for pilgrims on these two days. There will be no disruption on other days.

The traditional route via Neelimala and Appachimedu and the Swami Ayyappan Road have been inspected by central security agencies. Facilities including a dolly and emergency van will be provided. The route through which the President will reach Sabarimala will be revealed later.

Like during the pilgrimage season, emergency medical rooms with oxygen and cardiac facilities and rest centres will be set up at various points. A meeting of officials including the District Medical Officer will be held at the Collectorate today at 12 noon under the chairmanship of the District Collector. A meeting of police and Devaswom officials has also been called.

"The President's Office has instructed to make preparations. A meeting of the Health and Devaswom departments has been called today.'

-S. Prem Krishnan,

District Collector