Devotee groups flag neglect of Thiruvabharanam route

With barely a week left for the procession of holy jewels (Thiruvabharanam) to kick off from Pandalam to Sabarimala, devotee organisations have come out strongly against the deplorable condition of the traditional route through which the procession will pass.

The historic 83-km stretch from Pandalam to Sabarimala passes through more than a dozen villages across two taluks. While 43 km runs through inhabited areas, the remaining 40 km cuts through dense forest terrain, making proper maintenance crucial for the safety of barefoot pilgrims.

“The Thiruvabharanam route, originally laid by the Pandalam palace, once had a width ranging from five to 42 metres. Rampant encroachments have since shrunk it drastically, leaving several stretches unsafe and virtually impassable,” said D. Vijayakumar, general secretary of the Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham.

About 18 years ago, the Thiruvabharanam Patha Samrakshana Samithi moved the court, following which a survey was conducted and boundary stones were installed the next year. However, the outfit alleges that encroachments have never been fully removed, despite clear directions.

According to devotees, several portions of the route are now blocked by dumped logs, stones, soil heaps and concrete rings. Large stretches remain overgrown and damaged, posing serious risks to pilgrims during the ceremonial procession.

The responsibility for maintaining the route in populated areas lies with grama panchayats, the district panchayat, the Public Works Department, and the Kerala State Transport Project. This year, however, preparatory works have reportedly lagged, allegedly due to delays following the transition to newly elected panchayat committees.

With official action failing to pick up pace, volunteers under the Thiruvabharanam Patha Samrakshana Samithi have stepped in, launching shramadanam to clear overgrown stretches in Mezhuveli, Kidangannoor and Kozhencherry. Similar volunteer-led clean-up drives are planned across all panchayats in the coming days.