Steep rise in Sabari pilgrims from city

Hyderabad: It could be a show of assertion post the Supreme Court judgment upholding the right of women of all ages to pray at the Sabarimala temple coupled with inquisitiveness to see the hill shrine after the recent disaster in ‘God’s own country’ that is making people don the black robes. Surprisingly, women are discouraged by the temple managements in the city but their family members are making the trip. Speaking to The Hans India, general secretary, P Vinod Nambiar of Ayyappa Devalayam at Mettuguda said, “Normally by this time about 600-700 devotees are ready but this year the number has already touched 2,000 and the number is only increasing with each passing day.” He added that seniors from the hill shrine themselves sent a word not to encourage women.

The urge to visit Kerala and see the devastation of the place due to one of worst floods is also a reason say old timers. Mohanan, a resident of West Marredpally said, “I have been going to Sabarimala Temple for the last eight years but this year, five friends of mine are coming along just to see the place and take stock of the situation.” Starting today, devotees will throng the hill shrine of Sabarimala. Radhakrishnan, a devotee and a regular visitor to the Lal Bazaar Ayyappa Temple said, “There is an increase of devotees heading to Sabarimala this year. A batch of 60 would be leaving today and there are many first timers.”

Revathi Balakrishnan, a social scientist said, “Thanks to the raging controversy, a lot of people now have started feeling that they should show their affiliation and show solidarity to the age-old tradition.” Vinod Nambiar says, “The number of increase from the Mettuguda Ayyappa Devalayam can be attributed to the fact that Neelakantaru Tantri family member performed the pratistanam here and the same family too has done at the hill shrine. People from faraway places visit the temple at Mettuguda for this reason as there is a belief that it would do them good. This is the 50th year of pooja at Mettuguda. ”