2,000 pilgrims to be served Annadanam at Sabarimala

Kochi: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDS) has augmented capacity of ‘Annadana Mandapam’ at Sabarimala this pilgrimage season so as to serve free food to twice the number of devotees at a given time than the last season. The ground floor of under-construction three-storied modern ‘Annadana Mandapam’ has been readied to ensure that the restriction imposed on private trusts like the ‘Ayyappa Seva Sanghom’ would not affect ‘Annadanam’ (free distribution of food to pilgrims).

“The facility has been upgraded to facilitate feeding of 1,600-2,000 pilgrims at a stretch, double that of last season. At Pamba too, we'll be serving 'Annadanam' to nearly 50, 000 pilgrims.  All facilities like steel chairs and tables are ready," said V.S. Jayakumar, Devaswom secretary. He exuded confidence that work of the three-storied 'Annadana Mandapam', spread over 1.05 lakh sqft, will be completed by next season facilitating feeding of 5,000 pilgrims at a stretch.

"This time around we've also allotted increased space for laying 'viri' (night stay) at the temple premises. An area of 30, 000 sq.ft. has been identified over the building roof of the 'Annadana Mandapam'. Also drinking water facilities has been set up to ensure that the ban on mineral water from Pamba onwards won't affect the pilgrims," the official said. The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has launched four modern reverse osmosis plants at Pamba, Sannidhanam and Nilackkal, enabling drinking water supply to lakhs of pilgrims.