Entry to Sannidhanam only till 12 pm on Makaravilakku day, restrictions in Sabarimala to control rush

PATHANAMTHITTA: As a measure to control the rush on the Makaravilakku day, entry to Sannidhanam has been restricted till 12 noon. After 12 pm, devotees will not be allowed to enter Sannidhanam from Pampa for any reason. The police have also deployed police officers in huge numbers to control the rush.

A record number of pilgrims is expected as this is the first Makaravilakku festival after lifting Covid norms. Devotees have already started occupying their space to catch a glimpse of Makarajyoti. The police is trying to arrange a comfortable visit and security for the pilgrims. Adequate security will be ensured at all the points like Pandithavalam, Magunda and Ayyappanilayam where pilgrims stay the most.

In Idukki, preparations have reached the final stage at all three places where Makaravilakku can be seen. The Range IG and DIG visited Pullumedu, Panchalimedu and Parunthumpara to assess the security arrangements.

After the disaster that killed 102 people, the number of people coming to Pulumedu to see Makarjyoti was restricted. Before the tragedy, more than one lakh people used to camp at Pullumedu to see the holy sight.