Efforts are finally underway to revive the long-pending master plan for the integrated development of the Sabarimala pilgrimage zone. As part of this renewed effort, Travancore Devaswom board president K. Jayakumar, who earlier served as the chairman of the high-powered Sabarimala committee overseeing the implementation of the master plan, has convened a meeting on December 16.
“Members of the committee, including its technical experts, will attend a meeting to review the status of various projects at Sabarimala and identify medium-term priorities that can help ensure a smoother pilgrimage season next year,” he said. According to him, several key projects in Sabarimala, including the Darshanam complex, Annadana Mandapam and sewage treatment plant, were implemented under the supervision of the sewage treatment plant executive.
Terming ad hocism as the biggest bane in implementing projects at the temple, the former bureaucrat said the meeting would also lay the groundwork for another review to be chaired on December 29 by S. Siri Jagan, former Kerala High Court judge and current head of the committee. The December 16 meeting will essentially prepare the TDB to present a comprehensive update on the status of the committee, he added.
Sponsorship
Once the critical long-term and medium-term projects are clearly identified, TDB may also explore the possibility of obtaining sponsorship from credible corporate houses in case of shortage of funds. While the Kerala government approved the temple’s new master plan earlier this year, the TDB will immediately focus on projects included in the four-volume Sabarimala master plan prepared by Ecosmart, which has the Supreme Court’s approval.
Meanwhile, the flow of devotees to Sabarimala continues to rise. About 12 lakh pilgrims had darshan in the first two weeks of the ongoing pilgrimage season. A total of 11,89,088 devotees visited the temple between November 16 and November 29. Up to 7 pm on Saturday, 61,190 pilgrims went to the hill.
Published – 29 Nov 2025 20:42 IST
