Erumeli: Ayyappa devotees were in trouble today as the forest officers blocked the traditional trekking route of the Sabarimala pilgrims. More than hundred devotees were blocked on their way to Sabarimala and the forest officials informed them that they cannot enter into the forest. Devotees held protest in front of the forest office and chanted prayers.
Pilgrims were blocked at Arikkukavu check post near Irumboonnikkara. The forest department’s justification is that they blocked the devotees as per the decision taken in the meeting held earlier. It becomes difficult to allow pilgrims to use this path as wild animals attack is increasing day by day. Anyhow, devotees will be allowed to use the traditional trekking path on the 1st of Vrischikam, that is on the 17th of November, said the forest officials.
But the devotees say that they have been using the path for long to reach sannidhanam and it is really tough for them if the traditional path is blocked.
Many devotees started their travel to reach sabarimala on 17 th via traditional trekking path. The devotees including people from other states too faced difficulty over the decision of the forest department.
The pilgrims were not informed about the road block on time and that made things worse. Sabarimala shrine will be opened on day after tomorrow.
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