PAMPA: Only a week left for Sabarimala pilgrimage to start. The temple will open for Mandala pilgrimage season on November 16 evening. The government and the Devaswom Board are expecting large number of devotees as the pilgrimage resumes completely after Covid.

Preparations are taking place at a fast pace in Nilakkal, Pampa and Sannidhanam. There is a concern that whether the preparations could be completed before the opening of the temple due to heavy rain.

Nilakkal

Roads are being tarred. The repairs of toilet blocks are half way. Many of the taps are missing. New taps are installed every year and it will disappear the next year. The wild grass grown at the KSRTC station has not be cleared. Garbage is collected and burned. Construction of new toilet blocks and permanent police barracks will not be completed. Nilakkal and Palliyarakkavu temples are undergoing renovation. The construction of auctioned shops is at a rapid pace. The wild bushes in the parking area are getting cleared. Parking is also arranged near Goshala this time.

Pampa

The basic facilities arrangement is not taking place at a fast pace. Stones are being laid in the temple courtyard. Virtual queue counters have been damaged. Anjaneya Auditorium, where pilgrims rest, was not renovated. The sculpture on the side of the steps leading to the Ganesha temple is on the verge of damage. The sword of Pandalam king is found to be broken.

There are no basic facilities on the Pampa River side. Maintenance of toilet blocks was not done. The steps of the bath house collapsed near the Triveni Bridge. Njunungar Bridge construction is not completed. The work to connect the approach road remains.

Sannidhanam

The basic facilities have almost been complete. A permanent toilet block has been constructed at Marakoottam. The big Nadapandal and food counters have also been renovated. Painting of buildings is also complete.

Neelimala path paved with stone

Stone paving is being completed on Saranapatha from Pampa to Sharamkuthi via Appachimedu and Neelimala. The road is 2750 metres long and 7 meters wide at a cost of Rs 12 crore under the Central Government's Pilgrim Tourism Project. The stone is laid with a width 2.5 metres in the middle. Both sides will be concreted. In case of emergency, off road ambulance service is also available.

"The preparations will be completed within two days. Even if the number of pilgrims increases, the basic facilities will be provided”, said K Anantha Gopan, Devaswom Board President.