Kerala HC orders weekly hygiene checks at Sabarimala eateries during Mandala-Makaravilakku season
The Chief Vigilance Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board should submit a report in this regard to the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala Devaswom.
'We are bewildered and dismayed, when we are informed about the way in which the beverages and food were prepared in a pilgrim place like Sabarimala where a large number of devotees visit in a day during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season,' stated the Bench.
The court issued the order on the petition filed by Akhila Bharatheeya Ayyappa Seva Sangam of Kottayam seeking a directive to conduct regular inspection of places vending food and beverages in connection with Sabarimala pilgrimage in and around Erumely during Mandalam-Makaravilakku season and to ensure that food and beverages served there is hygienic and no noxious substances or water is being used or distributed to pilgrims, even free of cost.
The petitioner also alleged that a person named Abdul Shameem has been vending lemon water, tea, coffee and juices in the most unhygienic and unhealthy manner, unauthorisedly tapping water from a toilet complex.
'We are disturbed to note that the person has run the shop for about two weeks using the dirty water from a toilet complex in an unhealthy and unhygienic condition, unnoticed by any of the authorities deployed in Sabarimala, during the festival season,' said the Division Bench.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- The Hindu
Sri Lankan government recognises Sabarimala pilgrimage in Kerala
The Sri Lankan Cabinet has decided to give recognition to the annual pilgrimage by nationals to the Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala, Kerala, according to a cabinet statement released on Tuesday (August 12, 2025). The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting held in Colombo on Monday (August 11, 2025). Every year, over 15,000 Sri Lankan nationals visit Sabarimala, the statement said, adding 'the pilgrimage will be treated as one recognised by the government.' 'For a long period of time Sri Lankan devotees have been worshipping the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Kovil (shrine) in Kerala, India, every year from November 1 to January 31 of the following year,' it said. The annual Mandala puja festival at the Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala takes place between November and December. Thereafter, the temple opens for the Makaravilakku pilgrimage, which ends in January. The shrine closes after the pilgrimage season ends.
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- New Indian Express
KSRTC parking at Pampa hilltop: Devaswom board resists plan
PATHANAMTHITTA: The district administration's plan to explore parking facilities for KSRTC buses at Pampa hilltop has met with resistance from Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which maintains that it owns the land. 'Neither KSRTC nor the district administration can decide on parking without TDB's sanction. Such matters should be inspected and approved by the high-power committee,' TDB president P S Prashanth told TNIE. The proposal was discussed during a review meeting chaired by District Collector S Prem Krishnan. The meeting was held to assess preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku festival. The official issued after the meeting announced that queues will be introduced for pilgrims boarding KSRTC buses, and possibility of a parking space for 20 KSRTC buses at Pampa Hilltop will be examined. However, Prashanth said the decision cannot be taken by the district administration single-handedly. 'We have been providing parking facilities for KSRTC, but that does not mean they can take unilateral decisions on the matter,' Prashanth said. Temporary covered walkway At the meeting, it was decided to construct a temporary covered walkway (pandal) from Marakkoottam to Saramkuthi neck point. The structure, aimed at improving pilgrim comfort, will extend from the banyan tree at Saramkuthi down to the U-turn on the footpath, covering about 1.5 km in two sections. Other decisions included deploying a special team for animal control. Round-the-clock jumbo squad will be on duty
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
High court directs govt to revive KMTA by Nov 1
Kochi: In an order that could improve the transport infrastructure of the city, Kerala High Court issued a directive asking state govt to revive Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority (KMTA) by Nov 1. KMTA came into force in 2020 but is yet to be fully operational and there is a strong demand from various quarters to revive it. Considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Richard Rajesh Kumar and Arjun P Bhaskar, the court said that KMTA should be fully operational by Kerala Piravi Day and govt can provide adequate staff and funds for the proper functioning of the authority. KMTA, the first of its kind in India to integrate, plan and regulate different commuting modes in Kochi, was inaugurated on Nov 1, 2020. The authority is chaired by transport minister and has transport secretary as its vice-chairman. However, there was no major initiative from KMTA to strengthen the public transport system in the city, except for some initiatives like forming a society of autorickshaw unions and seven companies of bus operators in the city. KMTA convened its first meeting on Jan 22, 2021, and took various decisions for the smooth and timely implementation of integrated transport projects in the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Legendary Stars: Timeless Icons Reportingly Undo But there was no further action by the authorities. As per section 12 of KMTA Act, 2019, the authority is conferred with a wide range of duties and functions to maintain the effective development of urban transport. The act envisages a comprehensive mobility plan and includes developments such as technology-based solutions for traffic management, detection of traffic offences, parking infrastructure and other such developments. Govt had mooted a plan to increase the urban mobility area under KMTA three years ago and a proposal regarding this was presented at its board meeting. As per this, nine municipalities and 29 panchayats should be brought under KMTA's purview to ensure its proper functioning. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
