It has been decided to issue a special pass for darshan to Ayyappa devotees who come to Sabarimala on foot via forest path. Passes are being issued to those who come via the 30-km forest path from Erumeli to Pamba. The pass system was introduced to allow devotees who arrive at Marakkoottam by getting a seal from the Puthussery base with the entry pass obtained from Mukkuzhi and then getting an exit seal from the Valianavattom base to have darshan without standing in queues. The pass is being issued by the Forest Department.
The special pass will be available to devotees from the 18th. Sabarimala Additional District Magistrate Dr. Arun S. Nair officially inaugurated the distribution of IAS passes at a function held in Mukkuzhi on the morning of the 18th. Pampa Range Forest Officer Mukesh MK, Mukkuzhi Deputy Range Forest Officer Jayaprakash K, Sap EDC Chairman Joshi, other officials and temple office bearers attended the ceremony.
