Hundreds of pilgrims offered prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala amid tight security arrangements against the backdrop of the anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition on Wednesday.
The devotees waited for hours in queues to reach the temple premises after undergoing security check-up at different points.
Armed security guards, including commandos and special security guards (SSG), were deployed at key points in the close vicinity of the Ayyappa, Malikappuram, and Pampa Ganapati temple premises.
Vital installations
Vital installations like water tanks, pumping stations of the Kerala Water Authority and the Travancore Devaswom Board, electrical substation, transformers of the KSEBerala State Electricity Board, and the temple pond Bhasmakkulam too were brought under special security cover.
Pilgrims were not permitted to ascend the Pathinettampady when the temple remained closed after the forenoon and evening pujas Entry of pilgrims to the temple precincts was made through door-framed metal detectors.
Hundi closed
The main Hundi kept at the temple sopanam connected to a conveyor belt leading to the Devaswom bhandarom was closed and the devotees were asked to put their offerings to the deity in two large vessels kept near the temples dedicated to Lord Ganapati and Nagaraja on the temple premises itself. The devotees were asked to drain out the ghee brought for Neyyabhishekom in a vessel kept at the fly-over leading to Mallikappuram as the ghee collection tank at the northern mantapam too was closed as part of the security arrangements.
Pilgrims were permitted to carry only the Irumudikettu (sacred bundle) while climbing the Pathinettampady.
