Controversies regarding Sabarimala affairs should be put to rest and effort should be made for the smooth conduct of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season beginning mid-November, Travancore Devaswom Board member Ajay Tharayil has said.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Mr. Tharayil said it was not proper to drag Sabarimala into controversies.
Basic facility
With hardly 80 days left for the annual pilgrim season, the State was bound to ensure every possible basic facility at Sabarimala as well as various base camps across the State, he said.
According to the TDB member, Keralites constitute hardly 15 per cent of the pilgrims visiting Sabarimala in a year. The remaining pilgrims were from other States and even abroad. The controversies over Sabarimala would only hurt the sentiments of these Ayyappa devotees, he said.
Realistic approach
Mr. Tharayil said it was high time the judiciary as well as various government departments adopted a more sincere and realistic approach towards Sabarimala.
