New facilities including hot water, accommodation arranged for pilgrims at Sabarimala Temple

Thiruvananthapuram: The Sabarimala Devaswom Board has announced several new facilities to enhance the experience of pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala Temple. Among the key improvements, hot water will be provided to devotees through a pipeline system between the barricades. In addition, kiosks offering hot water will be set up for those waiting in the queue. These facilities will be available from Saramkuthi to the Valiya Nadapanthal at Sannidhanam.

Around 2,000 steel bottles will be filled with chukku vellam (herbed water) and distributed to devotees on their way up to the temple. Pilgrims are required to return the bottles when they head back down. A separate rest centre for women will be created at Pampa, along with facilities to accommodate 50 people in the Women's Facilitation Center.

At Nilakkal, 1,045 toilets have been set up to ensure hygiene and comfort for pilgrims. In addition, a stock of 50 lakh packets of biscuits has been collected for snacks.

In terms of accommodation, provisions have been made to house up to 16,000 devotees at a time. A five-layer shed from Tata has been installed, which can accommodate 5,000 people. A German-made shed will provide space for 3,000 people near Nilakkal stand. Four new Nadapanpals at Pampa will allow 4,000 people to stand comfortably, while a temporary structure will replace the Ramamurthy Mandapam, providing accommodation for 3,000 pilgrims.