The Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala will open for special Vishu puja on Saturday at 5 pm. Despite rising Covid-19 cases in the state, devotees will be allowed to enter the temple from April 11 to April 18. The Vishukani darshan will take place during the early hours of April 14 and the temple doors will close after the ‘Harivarasanam’ song on April 18.
According to reports, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan will visit the hill shrine on Sunday. The Devaswom Board has informed that those who have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are allowed to visit the temple. However, those who haven’t taken the second dose must carry an RT-PCR test certificate without fail.
Due to current circumstances, various facilities will be available for devotees visiting the temple. Testing facilities will be arranged at Nilakkal. Those devotees taking the results will receive the results within four hours.
Shower facilities will be available on the banks of the Pamba River as the devotees are refrained from bathing in the river. Other facilities such as the provision of hot water in steel bottles will be available for Rs 200 at Pamba River. Hot water provision will also be available at Nadapanthal. Meanwhile, the Kerala Police will check the virtual queue documents at the counter near Ganapati Kovil.
Devotees must ensure wearing masks and adhere to social distancing norms as Covid-19 cases are rising in the state and country.
