18 hours darshan everyday at Sabarimala; parking for 15,000 vehicles; arrangements for Mandala-Makaravilakku Mahotsavam completed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Preparations have been completed as the nada is about to be opened for the Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku Mahotsavam. President PS Prasanth said in a press conference that facilities for 18 hours of darshan a day will be arranged.

The nada will open at 3 a.m. The darshan is till 1 pm and from 3 pm to 11 pm. 80,000 people can have darshan per day. This will be done through virtual queue booking for 70,000 people and live booking for 10,000 people. Aadhaar card or copy is mandatory for real-time online booking. Seven counters will be opened at Pamba for booking and arrangements will be made at Erumeli and Vandiperiyar.

15,000 vehicles can be parked simultaneously at Nilakkal, Pampa Hilltop and Chakkupallam. The parking fee will be accepted through FASTag. Parking will be set up on the Housing Board land in Erumeli. Nine 'Nadapanthals' with a capacity to accommodate 6,000 people at a time have been arranged at Pamba. 25,000 people can lie down at Nilakkal, Pampa and Sannidhanam. 10,000 people can lie down in Sannidhanam.

• The production capacity of the boiler at Sharamkutti has been increased to 10,000 litres per hour. There are 60 'chukku water' counters from Sharamkuthi to Sannidhanam.
• In Pampa, 3,000 steel bottles will be filled with water and distributed to the devotees. Devotees will have to return the boat when they go down the hill.
• 40 lakh Aravana tins to be ready by 16th
• An accident insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh has been introduced. Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Kollam districts will benefit.
• Rs 30,000 inside Kerala and Rs 1 lakh outside to bring back the bodies of devotees who die during the pilgrimage.
• 1500 steel chairs will be arranged from Marakoottam to Chandranandan Road Jyothinagar.
• A medical team, including cardiology doctors, will also be set up. 100 doctors are ready for free service under the leadership of renowned neurosurgeon Dr Ram Narayanan. Members A Ajikumar and G Sundaresan were also present at the press conference.