The government has declared Sabarimala as a special security zone in connection with the upcoming Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival season in the temple.
This is the third year running that the government is bringing the temple and nearby areas under the special security zone cover under which several restrictions can be put in place. PauseUnmute Loaded: 0.20% Fullscreen Other than Sannidhanam, all routes to the temple like Pamba, Nilackal base camp, Elavunkal, Cheriyanavattom, Valiyanavattom, Pandithavalam, Pullumedu, Uppupara, Kozhikkanam and Sathram will come under the cover. One km on either side of these main routes will also come under the special security zone category.
The move is by invoking Section 83(1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. As per the section, the government can, on the recommendation of the state police chief or on its own in view of high security threats faced by any distinguished or protected person present in an area or any important institution or premises, notify such an area as a special security zone. Also, as per Section 83(2) of the act, the restrictions can be imposed with respect to the use of building premises and vehicles and in respect of the movement of persons, vehicles and objects in such areas.
The government, meanwhile, has decided to increase the number of bookings in the virtual queue which is now fixed at 25,000 per day. This is in view of the relaxations in Covid-19 restrictions in the state and also the observations made in the high-level meeting chaired by the CM last month that all those who are registering in the virtual queue are not turning up for darshan. It has also been decided to leave it to the discretion of the responsible official to admit those who are unable to get a registration in the virtual queue but are still reaching the temple, after verifying their documents.
The restrictions that were imposed for those less than 10 years and those aged more than 65 years, in the wake of Covid-19, have been withdrawn this time. The holy bath in Pamba also will be allowed. However, the restrictions imposed for Neyyabhishekam will continue.
