Pathanamthitta,18 April (H.S): The doors of the hill shrine at Sabarimala Temple will be closed at 10 pm on Saturday, marking the conclusion of the Vishu festival and the Meda month poojas. The temple has witnessed a significant surge in pilgrim turnout during the concluding days of the monthly rituals.

Special ceremonies are scheduled as part of the final day’s observances. The Sahasra Kalasha Abhishekam, a major ritual involving the consecration with sacred pots, will be held on Saturday morning. In the evening, the traditional Padipooja, a ritualistic worship of the holy steps leading to the sanctum, will also be performed before the temple is closed for the season.

Authorities reported that the shrine experienced consistently high footfall this time, with an average of around 30,000 devotees visiting daily. The increased number of pilgrims during the closing days reflects the enduring spiritual significance of the shrine, especially during Vishu and the Meda month.

However, pilgrims have faced difficulties due to the declining water levels in the Pamba River, a key source of water for ritual purification. The situation has been compounded by inadequate water storage levels in nearby reservoirs, which prevented authorities from releasing additional water. Concerns have also been raised over increasing pollution levels in the river, adding to the challenges faced by devotees.

The temple will reopen for the next monthly poojas in the Malayalam month of Edavam. The shrine is scheduled to open again at 5 pm on May 14, when regular rituals will resume.

Officials have urged pilgrims to plan their visits accordingly and adhere to guidelines, especially in view of the prevailing environmental concerns around the pilgrimage route.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman