HC intervenes, Sabarimala-bound vehicles adorned with flowers, leaves will soon be a thing of past

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed to initiate strict action against decorated vehicles arriving at Sabarimala, starting from this year. The court pointed out that decorating vehicles carrying Ayyappa devotees with flowers and leaves - a regular sight during Sabarimala season- stands in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act. The court also issued an order stipulating stringent measures against pilgrimage vehicles which put up boards similar to that of government vehicles.   

Pilgrimage vehicles adorned by flowers and leaves, carrying scores of devotees keep arriving at Sabarimala during the peak seasons. However, from now on penalties will be levied upon the defaulters. 

Interestingly, KSRTC buses running trips to the holy site during peak seasons are mostly found all decked up, trying to live up to the occasion. With the new ruling, all these sights are soon going to turn into a thing of the past.