Pilgrim inflow continues to be thin

Restrictions in place at Valiya Nadapandal

Not the norm: A deserted Nadapandal on Wednesday morning.

The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala witnessed a lean pilgrim inflow on the fifth day of the annual pilgrim season on Wednesday.

Though partly eased, the restrictions imposed by the police on the pilgrim movement at the Valiya Nadapandal, where pilgrims used to rest earlier, continued on Wednesday too.

The pilgrims who were lying on the floor near the media corner at Malikappuram were woken up by the police early on Wednesday.

The police asked them to move to a nearby shelter, with a leaky roof, and which was already packed.

“We used to wait at the sprawling Valiya Nadapandal all these years. But, the police do not allow us to take rest there even after the closure of the temple. The devotees who have to offer Neyyabhishekom to the deity the next day morning were inconvenienced by the restrictions imposed by the police,” said a devotee.

Namajapom

A group of about 50 people, carrying Irumudikkettu on their head, staged Namajapom at the Valiya Nadapandal, violating the prohibitory orders at Sabarimala.

The police tried to prevent them from entering the Lower Tirumuttom and they proceeded to the Malikappuram, chanting Sarana Ghoshom.