Trouble-free darshan for all devotees and foolproof sanitation should be on top of the Sabarimala development agenda, former Supreme Court judge Arijt Pasayat has said.
Mr. Pasayat, one of the patrons of the Sabarimala Infrastructure Development Fund, was talking to reporters at the Sannidhanam on Sunday night.
‘‘Scores of Ayyappa devotees throng Sabarimala during the Makaravilakku, observing strict penance for 41 days, with the sole intention of worshipping the Makarajyoti, a bright flame that flickers thrice on a remote hillside at Ponnambalamedu, as well as the celestial star Makara on the eastern horizon of the Sannidhanam on January 14 afternoon. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) as well as the government is bound to ensure adequate basic pilgrim facility at Sabarimala,'' he said.
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Mr. Pasayat said a meeting of the Sabarimala Infrastructure Development Fund scheduled on January 23 would explore the possibility of implementing certain key projects on a priority basis as part of the proposed master plan in a time-bound manner. The TDB would find it difficult to implement the master plan on its own and finding sponsors for various development projects was not an easy task, he added.
M. Rajendran Nair, Special Commissioner appointed by the Kerala High Court, who accompanied Mr. Pasayat, said development of the Nilackal base camp, Pampa-Sannidhanam ropeway project, and Swami Ayyappan Road and setting up of a modern sewage treatment plant at the Sannidhanam would be given priority while implementing the master plan.
Mr. Nair said a smooth conveyance system should be ensured between Nilackal and Pampa once the Nilackal base camp turned full-fledged.
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Mr. Pasayat, along with Justice Viswanath Mahopatra of the Orissa High Court and Justice Satish Chandra of the Allahabad High Court, offered prayers at the Ayyappa temple on Monday morning.