GO TO SOURCE


KERALA, INDIA, January 18, 2002: Tis the season for Ayyappa devotees to make their annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Most pilgrims partake in the festivities on Makaravilakku when the Ayyappa Murthi is dressed in traditional attire and a divine light appears on top of the hill. In an effort to control the flow of traffic, the government prohibited private vehicles from parking within 22 kilometers of the pilgrimage spot. Devotees were assured that they would be able to catch a bus back to their vehicles after the festivities. However very few buses were available and some anxious pilgrims handled the situation by damaging vehicles and government cabins. Chief police W. Joseph Dawsa said, “The sudden rush of pilgrims appeared to have generated difficulties.” Two inspectors posted at Sabarimala said, “The Central Government’s refusal to give forest land for parking vehicles at Pampa was at the cause of the traffic problem in Sabarimala.” Most devotees wait until the last day of the two-month long pilgrimage and this further contributes to the traffic problem.

Post Views: 549