Sabarimala: Sabarimala is all set for the Makaravilakku festival and Makarajyothi darshan. Preparations have been completed at Sannidhanam and Pampa. Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar said that more than one lakh devotees, including 35,000 with virtual bookings, are expected to arrive for the Makarajyothi darshan. Facilities have been arranged to accommodate them.

The Devaswom Board President and department officials reviewed the arrangements at places where devotees are expected to gather in large numbers at Sannidhanam for the Makarajyothi darshan.

Free food at Pandithavalam and Parnashala

Sabarimala Devaswom Executive Officer OG Biju said that free food will be distributed at Pandithavalam and Parnashala for pilgrims arriving for the Makaravilakku festival.

Food parcels will be distributed on the afternoon and night of January 13, and three times on January 14. Cooking food on the premises will not be permitted. Light refreshments and drinking water will be provided to all devotees staying at Sannidhanam. As part of crowd control measures for the Makaravilakku darshan, spot booking will be stopped on January 12.

Makarajyothi viewing points at Sannidhanam

Around 15 locations have been arranged at Sannidhanam for viewing the Makarajyothi. These include: Thirumuttam, Malikappuram, Annadanam Mandapam, Pandithavalam, Donor House courtyard, incinerator area, Pandithavalam, water tank area, the ground behind the hotel complex, Darshan Complex, BSNL office premises, Koprakalam, near Aazhi, Jyothi Nagar, Forest Office premises, and Water Authority office premises. At Pampa, the hilltop area will also be available for viewing the Jyothi.

Instructions for devotees

• Devotees will not be allowed to climb on top of buildings to view the Makaravilakku.

• Those staying at Parnashala will not be permitted to cook food.

• Instructions issued by the police and forest officials must be strictly followed.

• After the darshan, devotees should not descend the hill in large.

Safety barricades to be installed at Makarajyothi points

Pathanamthitta: District Collector S Premkrishnan reviewed safety arrangements at the Makarajyothi viewing points. He also visited the halting point of the Thiruvabharanam procession near the Lahai Forest Department office.

Security arrangements were reviewed at the Makarajyothi viewing points at Panjippara, Ilavunkal, Nellimala, Attathode West Uplands, and Attathode. Construction of safety barricades and related infrastructure is progressing at Panjippara. Annadanam (free food distribution) will be arranged there for devotees. Ambulance facilities under the Health Department will be ensured at all viewing points.

Under the leadership of the Seethathode Grama Panchayat, facilities for relaxation and toilets have been prepared at Panjippara. Drinking water will be ensured at all viewing points. Instructions have been issued to install safety barricades at Ilavunkal, Attathode, and Nellimala viewing points. Fire and Rescue Services will also be made available, including at Nellimala.

The District Collector stated that police and forest department personnel will be deployed at all viewing points. Sabarimala ADM Arun S Nair, District Police Chief R Anand, Ranni DFO N Rajesh Kumar, Disaster Management Deputy Collector R Rajalakshmi, and others were present.