In the South, deities are worshipped with full devotion. Devotees will be permitted during next Sabarimala season following COVID-19 protocol, the Travancore Devaswom Board President N Vasu told the media on Monday. He said that limited devotees including those who are from other states will be allowed in the temple through a virtual queue, i.e. people will be given a time slot when they can visit the temple and will have to come accordingly to avoid crowding and maintain physical distance.

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The decision was decided by a five-member committee directed by the Chief Secretary of the state. Usually, pilgrims are allowed to visit the temple every first day of Malayalam month. While the temple was shut for the last few months due to the pandemic, N Vasu said that limited pilgrims will be allowed to visit the temple by Tulum (Malayalam month) which commences on October 17 onwards. The Devaswom Board President said that though it has been chosen to permit devotees, they are yet to decide on how to proceed.

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He said that devotees will be strictly following prudent measures. He added that people will be screened properly as well. He said that some of the customs like Neyyabhishekam will be bypassed to align with COVID-19 precautionary protocols. Accommodation at the Sannidhanam will also not be allowed. The pilgrimage season starts around mid-November every year and goes on till the last week of December. The temple is shut for a few days, and is reopened for the Makaravilakku festival, by the end of December. It then closes by the last week of January.

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