Elaborate Security Arrangements for Makaravilakku Festival at Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram: Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala Hill Shrine on Tuesday.

Kerala police have deployed over 5000 security personnel spread across Sannidhanam, Pampa, and Nilakkal. The security arrangements were reviewed by senior police officials at a high-level meeting in Sannidhanam. Apart from police, the personnel of the fire and rescue department, NDRF have also been deployed at vantage points for the "Makara Jyothi" darshan which is expected to be viewed by over 2.5 lakh devotees.

The police have requested devotees coming for Makara Jyothi darshan to follow the guidelines issued by the police. Only those with virtual queue booking/spot booking will be allowed to enter Pamba from Nilakkal on January 13 and 14.

Traffic restrictions will be imposed in Nilakkal from 7.30 am on January 14.

Vehicles will be allowed to enter Pamba from Nilakkal only till 10 am January 14. Devotees will be allowed to enter Sannidhanam from Pamba only till 12 noon.

Makara Jyothi darshan is not allowed from the top of trees, terraces of high-rise buildings or atop water tanks.

Only those with special passes issued by the Devaswom will be allowed to stand at Thirumuttam during Deeparadhana. Temporary huts and parnashalas will not be allowed to be constructed in and around Pampa, Sannidhanam and in open spaces. Devotees will not be allowed to do temporary cooking.

Devotees should board KSRTC vehicles only through the queue system. Devotees coming for makara jyothi darshan should not try to lean on the barricades or the ropes tied for crowd control.

Devotees should have darshan of Makara Jyothi only from the designated places; Nilakkal, one can visit Attathodu, Attathad West Colony, Ilavunkal, Nellimala and Ayyanmala.

In Pampa, the hilltop, hilltop central part and Valiyanavattom and at Sannidhanam, Pandithavalam, the premises of darshana complex, the front of Annadana Mandapam, Thirumuttam south side, the premises of Azhi, Koprakalam, Jyothinagar, front of the forest office and the premises of the water authority office.

Emergency medical centres are up and running at Vandithavalam Junction, Vavar Nada, Sharamkutthy, Queue Complex, Mara Koottam and Charalmedu. Stretcher service is available at various locations.

Stretcher facilities are available at Urakuzhi, Vandithavalam Junction, near Annadana Mandapam, Nadapanthal, Mele Thirumuttam, Jeep Road, Sharamkutty, Queue Complex, Marakoottam and Charalmedu.