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Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sabarimala: TDB lifts curbs on virtual queues for Edavam puja
Kottayam: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Friday lifted the restrictions imposed on booking virtual queues for the Edavam month puja in Sabarimala. The restrictions were earlier imposed on May 18 and 19. This was in the wake of President Droupadi Murmu's proposed visit to the hill shrine, said TDB president PS Prashanth. "The state protocol officer was informed about the cancellation of the visit, following which we lifted the ban on the virtual queue booking on those days. Now the devotees can book through the virtual queue system and have darshan on these days," he said.
India Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Droupadi Murmu set to become first Indian President to visit Sabarimala temple
President Droupadi Murmu is set to make history on May 19 by becoming the first sitting President of India to offer prayers at the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the shrine, confirmed her upcoming visit, calling it a landmark moment for the temple and the President's visit to the holy shrine is part of her two-day visit to Kerala. She is scheduled to attend a private function in Kottayam district, after she arrives in Kerala on May 18. The following morning, she will travel to the Nilakkal helipad near the temple and proceed to the Pampa base camp — either to trek the 4.25-km uphill path like traditional pilgrims or be driven along a steep emergency road to the hilltop shrine. The final decision on her mode of travel will be taken by the Special Protection Group (SPG), which is overseeing the security is the first time a President has decided to visit the Sabarimala shrine. The SPG will decide whether she will trek or be driven up the hill. We will abide by their direction,' said PS Prasanth, president of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Prasanth revealed that while the official programme is still awaited, preparations have been underway for the past few weeks. 'The visit has been in the air for two to three weeks. Now that it's certain, we have begun urgent road repair and construction work. Once official confirmation comes, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will call for a stock-taking meeting. This is going to be a historic visit,' he visit will coincide with the conclusion of poojas marking the Malayalam month of Edavam. The temple, which opened on May 14 for the monthly rituals, typically sees large pilgrim footfall, but authorities have announced restrictions for May 18 and 19. Devotees will not be allowed darshan on those days, and virtual queue ticket services have been suspended to ensure security during the President's at an altitude of 3,000 feet in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, Sabarimala is one of South India's most revered pilgrimage sites. Traditionally, access to the temple involves a 41-day penance period followed by a barefoot trek from the Pampa River. Pilgrims carry an Irumudi — a sacred prayer kit essential for ascending the temple's 18 holy steps to reach the indicated that the President is also expected to prepare the Irumudi at the Pampa base camp, though further details await confirmation from the President's office.'She will be the first President to ever offer prayers here. It is indeed a moment of pride,' said last high-profile visit to Sabarimala by a statesman was that of VV Giri, who visited the shrine during his tenure as Kerala Governor in the early 1960s, before becoming the President in 1969. Murmu's visit, therefore, marks a rare and symbolically significant occasion in the temple's Reel
Time of India
29-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Tanthri tells Kerala high court that his views were not sought while filling ‘kazhakam' post at Koodalmanikyam temple
Kochi: The tanthri of the Koodalmanikyam temple has informed high court that his views were not sought, as required under the Koodalmanikyam Devaswom Act, before appointing a person for the 'kazhakam' duty. The submission was made in response to a petition by T V Harikrishnan of Thekke Varriam, who claimed hereditary and spiritual rights over the post. The tanthri also cited Section 19(3) of the Act, which prohibits the selection of ritual staff by any subcommittee, excluding the tanthri. Earlier, B A Balu, an Ezhava person from the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) rank list, was appointed to the post but resigned following controversy. Devaswom authorities then decided to appoint the next candidate, K S Anurag, who filed an application to be impleaded in the matter. However, the petitioner opposed it, arguing that a mere position in the rank list does not confer any right to appointment. The court adjourned the matter to May 6 for a detailed hearing and extended its earlier order halting the appointment. Meanwhile, Koodalmanikyam Devaswom administrator Ushanandini Sabu filed a counter affidavit stating that Thekke Varriam never held exclusive rights over the kazhakam duty. Until 1984, three families — Kizhakke Pisharam, Arakkal Pisharam and Thekke Varriam — shared the kazhakam duty, with Thekke Varriam performing it only during the Malayalam months of 'Makaram' and 'Edavam'. When members of the other two families were unavailable, the devaswom took over their 10-month duty period and appointed staff temporarily. One V P Ramachandran was appointed initially, followed by Rajeev Varrier and later Renjith Varrier. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Car Cleaner Works So Fast, It Feels Like Cheating Make Your Car Look Like New Undo The affidavit noted that no member of Thekke Varriam had objected to these appointments. The administrator further asserted that any regular appointment for those months would not affect Thekke Varriam's rights over kazhakam duty during 'Makaram' and 'Edavam'.
