Ahead of the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala, Kerala State Police Chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib visited the Sannidhanam to review the security arrangements for the event.
Deployment of Police Personnel
The Kerala State Police Chief announced that a total of 5,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the Makaravilakku festival.
- 1,800 personnel will be stationed at Sannidhanam.
- The remaining personnel will be distributed across key locations, including Pampa, Nilakkal, Idukki, and Kottayam.
Additional Security Teams
In addition to the state police, security teams from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have also been deployed to ensure safety during the event.
Facilities for Devotees
Special facilities have been arranged for devotees to view the sacred ‘Makara Jyothi’ and to descend the hill smoothly after the event.
Security Checks at Key Locations
Teams from the state police, fire and rescue, and NDRF have conducted thorough security checks at all important places where people will gather to witness the ‘Makara Jyothi’ flame.
Exit Plan for Devotees
To manage the flow of devotees, an exit plan has been devised to ensure a smooth departure after the Makaravilakku festivities. In case of heavy crowding, the police will implement arrangements to allow the devotees to descend the hill in an orderly manner.
Guidelines for Devotees
Sannidhanam Police Special Officer V Ajith outlined key guidelines for the devotees attending the festival:
- Designated Viewing Spots: Devotees should only view the ‘Makara Jyothi’ from the designated spots. Viewing from trees, tall buildings, or water tanks is prohibited.
- No Leaning on Barricades: Devotees should not lean on or attempt to cut the ropes tied to barricades.
- Virtual Queue and Spot Booking: Only devotees with virtual queue booking or spot booking will be allowed to enter from Nilakkal to Pampa on January 13-14.
- Special Passes for Deeparadhana: Only those with special passes from the temple committee will be allowed to stand in the Thirumuttam during the ‘deeparadhana’ ceremony.
- Prohibited Items: Devotees are not allowed to carry stoves, large pots, or gas stoves. Cooking temporarily or setting up huts in surrounding areas will also be prohibited.
Traffic and Transport Guidelines
- Queue System for Transport: Devotees must board state transport vehicles only after waiting in queues. They should also note down the vehicle number, ground number, driver’s contact details, and Guru Swamiji’s phone number.
- Traffic Restrictions: Traffic restrictions will be enforced in Nilakkal starting at 7:30 am on January 14. Vehicles will be allowed to enter from Nilakkal to Pampa only until 10:00 am.
- Entry Time for Devotees: Devotees will be allowed to enter from Pampa until 12:00 noon. After that, the ‘ghoshayatra’ procession carrying Lord Ayyappa’s sacred jewellery will pass through on its way to Valianavattom.
Annual Ceremonial Procession
The ‘thiruvabharanam ghoshayatra’ procession, carrying Lord Ayyappa’s sacred jewellery, set off from the shrine in Pandalam on Sunday. The jewellery will be used to adorn Lord Ayyappa during the Makaravilakku.
- Entry to Sannidhanam: Devotees will be allowed to enter the Sannidhanam around 5:30 pm only after the sacred jewellery reaches Saramkuthi.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- How many police personnel have been deployed for the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala?
- A) 5,000
- B) 1,800
- C) 3,000
- D) 2,500
- Answer: A) 5,000
- Where will devotees be allowed to view the ‘Makara Jyothi’?
- A) From the top of trees
- B) From designated spots only
- C) From tall buildings
- D) From water tanks
- Answer: B) From designated spots only
- What is prohibited for devotees at the Sannidhanam during the Makaravilakku festival?
- A) Carrying stoves and large pots
- B) Carrying mobile phones
- C) Carrying water bottles
- D) Carrying food items
- Answer: A) Carrying stoves and large pots
- What is the time restriction for vehicles entering Nilakkal on January 14?
- A) Until 7:00 am
- B) Until 12:00 noon
- C) Until 10:00 am
- D) Until 5:30 pm
- Answer: C) Until 10:00 am
- What will happen after the sacred jewellery reaches Saramkuthi?
- A) Devotees will be allowed to enter Sannidhanam
- B) The ceremonial procession will conclude
- C) Devotees will be allowed to leave
- D) The police will conduct a security check
- Answer: A) Devotees will be allowed to enter Sannidhanam