Sabarimala, Nov 15: Hundreds of Ayyappa devotees and media persons were stopped on Wednesday at Ilavunkal, four kilometres away from Nilakkal, which is the main base camp for the pilgrims during the festival at Lord Ayyappa temple which is set to open on November 16 evening.
Hundreds of devotees who also began trekking from Erumely through traditional forest route were stopped by the officials of Forest Department at Azhutha forest area where toilets and resting places are not yet ready.
Meanwhile, devotees said this is the first time that pilgrims were denied permission for trekking through traditional forest route.
The authorities have also not made proper arrangement for providing drinking water and food to the pilgrims, they alleged.
The devotees said State-owned KSRTC also failed to operate bus services for devotees.


Comments
Add new comment