Andhra Pradesh accounts for a substantial number of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala every year. But there has been a fall of about 30 to 40% in the estimated 10 lakh devotees in the wake of the Supreme Court allowing women of child-bearing age to visit the temple and vociferous protests that followed.
Shops selling black dress, ‘deeksha’ and pooja material are unhappy as there has been a drastic dip in the sale as many have postponed their pilgrimage.
“I used to tie over 100 ‘irumudis’ (bundle containing ritual offerings) each day. But not even 60 people turn up at the temple for commencing the pilgrimage everyday,” says Paramkusam Rangaswamy taking a small break during the rituals.
The RTC operated only four special buses since the Makaravilaku season began on November 15, says Nellore Regional Manager G.V. Ravi Verma who oversees parking of the State-run and private buses and other amenities for pilgirms at Nilackal.
“The rush has come down this year,” he told The Hindu .
“I used to visit Salem in Tamil Nadu at least thrice during the Makaravilaku/Makarajyothi pilgrimage season to source black dresses for sale across Andhra Pradesh. This year, the first set of consignment has not be sold,” says a wholesale textile shopowner P. Nagaeswara Rao.
Blessing for some
A group of women devotees present for the “irumudikettu” says, “We are happy sending our menfolk to Sabarimala. No woman in child-bearing age, who believes in the Ayyappa legend and traditions evolved over a period, will even think of going to the hill shrine.
The fallout has come as a blessing in disguise for pilgrims . “I have never had the opportunity to touch each of the 18 sacred steps during the previous visits. But I was able to do so this year,” Srikanth Reddy says on return from Sabarimala. They spent more time in having the darshan, adds another devotee Ramesh Babu.
