Kochi: Pilgrims will soon be able to book ‘prasadams’ online and collect them on their return after offering prayers at the Sabarimala Ayyappa shrine without standing in long queues. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is in the process of implementing this scheme to reduce rush at the Sannidhanam and also benefit pilgrims in a big way. “Those pilgrims planning to visit the temple can book ‘prasadams’ in advance by giving the date and approximate time of actual visit. The prasadam kit will be ready by the time they offer prayers and return to Pamba. We’re in touch with IT experts to implement the scheme which will be put for final approval in the next board meeting,” said TDB president A Padmakumar.
The ‘prasadam' kit will have a sealed tin of ‘aravana prasadam’, a packet of ‘appam’ in air tight cover, ‘vibhoothy’, sandal paste, 10 ml of ‘abhishekha' ghee, turmeric of the deity of Malikappuram, a packet of vermillion, pepper of ‘Vavar Swamy' and a small laminated picture of Lord Ayyappa. The facility is being implemented as part of the first phase of the computerisation drive expected to be completed this season. Earlier, the board had entered into a tie-up with the Postal department to offer ‘prasadams’ through post. To fast track the project, the TDB will form ‘Devaswom Board IT Division’ by creating nearly 10 additional posts such posts such as senior IT technical consultant and assistant engineer (from among qualified computer engineering candidates).
Meanwhile, the Devaswom Board president said complaints of multiple allocations of same rooms at the TDB Guest House in Sannidhanam will be addressed soon. “At present out of 600 rooms, 105 rooms can be booked online. However, there are many complaints that same rooms are allocated to multiple parties on the same day which is leading to arguments. KELTRON initially refused to sort out the flaw and we’ve taken up the issue with the Chief Minister who entrusted IT experts to correct the flaw,” Mr Padmakumar said.
