Traditional forest routes see an increase in pilgrim flow

Since the opening of the Sanctum Sanctorum at Sabarimala for the Mandala-Makaravilakku the festival there saw a rise in pilgrims taking the traditional route through the forests. The forest path or Kananapatha was cleared by forest officials and the Devaswom board before the opening of the temple. On the day of the opening, 145 pilgrims reached the Sannidhanam through this route. In 11 days, more than 1,400 people have reached the Sabarimala temple through the traditional forest path. The trail is only open from 6 am to 2 pm. Forest officials estimate that the forest trail is dangerous at night because of the presence of elephants and other wild animals. Checkpoints have also been set up along the route. Those who come along the forest path take a dip in Urakkuzhi. It is predicted that the rush of pilgrims through this route will rise in the coming days.

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