Sabarimala pilgrimage: TDB to start early preparations with new manual
Thiruvananthapuram: Preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage will begin every year in April, with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) set to overhaul its planning system following the High Court’s criticism of inadequate arrangements at the hill shrine.
The pilgrimage management office in Pampa will be opened after the Vishu pooja in Sabarimala. TDB President K Jayakumar said a detailed manual, including a clear timetable, will be prepared to ensure that no major work remains pending after October. An agency with management expertise will be assigned to draft the manual.
National-level standards planned
The board aims to upgrade Sabarimala’s facilities to national standards. Although both the government and the TDB have repeatedly said that preparations would begin soon after Makaravilakku each year, the plan has not been put into practice so far.
Key measures planned by the Devaswom Board
- A comprehensive manual will be ready before the next pilgrimage season, and all subsequent festival preparations will follow it.
- A scientific approach will be adopted for all processes, including crowd management.
- All contracts related to Sabarimala, including those for food items such as appam, aravana, and other prasadam, as well as repair works, will specify start and completion dates in advance. Existing contractors will remain permanent.
- Each department will work within a fixed timeline for arrangements and operations, including cleaning.
- A dedicated office will be opened in Pampa to monitor and coordinate preparations, ensuring continuity even during non-festival months. This is expected to reduce dependence on the TDB headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Staff will receive training, if necessary, on operational responsibilities and expected conduct.