Aranmula to get new pilgrim amenity project

Self-contained transit camp to be built as part of project

The heritage village of Aranmula will soon get a facelift. The government has identified Aranmula for implementing its ambitious

Kshetranagari pilgrim amenity project, according to Travancore Devaswom Board president A.Padmakumar.

Talking to

The Hindu , Mr. Padmakumar said a self-contained transit camp for Sabarimala pilgrims would be developed in the vicinity of Sree Parthasarathy Temple on the banks of the Pampa at Aranmula as part of the proposed Kshetranagari project.

He said the government was for setting up a model pilgrim amenity centre at Aranmula so that it could be utilised as a convention centre too for conducting marriages and various other ceremonies when the Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala remains closed.

Mr. Pamakumar said the proposed Kshetranagari would have a three-storey building housing a modern pilgrim shelter

(Viripanthal), an air conditioned dormitory, Annadanam hall, toilet block with shower bath-cum-changing room facilities, a professionally managed vegetarian hotel, and well designed vehicle parking lots.

He said the TDB would provide 50 cents of land for developing the proposed Kshetranagari.

The Indian Oil Corporation will also set up an auto fuel outlet at the site, besides provide financial support to the tune of ₹8 to ₹10

crore for the project.

Nadappanthal

Mr. Padmakumar said a decorative arch and Nadappanthal would be constructed on the eastern side of the temple complex. He said construction work estimated to cost ₹4 crore, that included reconstruction of the Western Gopuram, has already been sanctioned and ₹1 crore would be spent on roofing of the pavilion at the Sathrakkadavu, the finishing point of the Aranmula snakeboat race, he said.

The TDB president said the board would take necessary steps to conduct an expert review of all additional constructions carried out at various temples attached to it to ensure that it has been taken place in conformity with the traditional temple architecture (Vasthu) norms and rules.