Pathanamthitta, Nov 9:
Kerala Devaswom Minister Ramesh Chennithala has urged Sabarimala pilgrims to strictly avoid discarding clothes and footwear into the holy Pamba River, appealing to devotees to maintain ecological cleanliness during the upcoming pilgrimage season.
Reviewing final arrangements at the hill shrine ahead of the Mandala Pooja commencing on November 16, Chennithala stressed that dumping clothes or slippers into the river is not part of any religious ritual or tradition. He urged pilgrims to refrain from spitting or polluting the riverbanks.
The minister stated that over 90 percent of the pilgrim amenities, crowd control structures, and medical facilities have been finalized, with remaining works slated for completion well before the temple doors open for the annual pilgrimage.