Guest guest Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 OM NAMO NARAYANAYARecord devotees expected in Sabarimala - Sabarimala: A record 50 million devotees are expected to visit the holy hill temple of Sabarimala in Kerala for the big pilgrimage beginning Friday. Minister for Devaswom G. Sudhakaran said: "Wait and see, pilgrims will come in large numbers. This year it will be an all-time high. "Sabarimala pilgrims will turn out in large numbers to show support to Lord Ayyappan. In the last season a record 30 million came, but this year we expect the figure to touch 50 million," he said. "We have been told by the governments in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu that the turnout of pilgrims this year will be a record high."The Sabarimala temple, situated in Pathanamthitta district of central Kerala, was enveloped in a row in June after Kannada actress Jaimala claimed that she entered the temple in 1987 and touched the deity violating the age-old temple tradition that bars women in the menstruating age from entering it. The revelation led to heated debate on whether women should be allowed into the temple. All arrangements are complete for the pilgrimage season that begins Nov 17 and ends Jan 15, with a break in the middle of December. The temple, situated in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 metres, is accessible only by foot. Although it is open throughout the year, the peak pilgrimage season begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischika (Nov 17). The temple closes on the first day of the Malayalam month of Makara (Jan 15). Its earnings in cash and kind from devotees crossed a record $12 million last year.Before setting off on the pilgrimage, devotees undertake an intense 41-day penance during which they do not wear footwear, stick to a vegetarian diet and wear a black dhoti. When they start off, they carry coconuts filled with ghee in a cloth bag. During the ritual oblations at the shrine, the coconut is broken and the ghee poured over the deity.Sudhakaran said that officials were prepared to tackle the huge pilgrim rush. "The number of police and health officials on duty has been doubled," he said.Source: Malayala Manorama OnlineRadhe Shyam,Arun Sponsored Link$420,000 Mortgage for $1,399/month - Think You Pay Too Much For Your Mortgage? Find Out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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