Devotees will not be allowed in Sabarimala today. The order was issued by the Pathanamthitta District Collector. Devotees are not allowed to enter Sabarimala and Pampa from Nilakkal. The move comes amid heavy rains in Pampa and Sannidhanam. The Collector’s order also took into account the possibility of opening the shutters of the Pampa Dam. The Collector said that the decision was taken for the safety of the pilgrims.
Those who book through the virtual queue will be given the closest opportunity. The Pampa sand dune was flooded yesterday evening. Meanwhile, intermittent heavy rains are continuing in the Sabarimala forest area. This is the first time that the Sabarimala pilgrimage has been banned since the beginning of the Mandala period. The ban was imposed by the Collector’s order at 11:40 last night.
‘Due to heavy rains in Pathanamthitta district, the water level in the Pampa River has risen. As soon as the water level drops, all the devotees who have booked through the virtual queue will have the opportunity to see it as soon as possible. Pilgrims are requested to co-operate by avoiding the journey from their places today, ‘said District Collector Divya S Iyer.
