Sabarimala Pooja rates Hiked – File Appeal against H.C. decision

The Hon’ble Kerala High Court has given its approval for hiking of rates for performance of poojas in the temple. It is not understandable as to why the rates need to be hiked so steeply ?

During Sabarimala season, the newspapers keep reporting everyday about “record collections”. If so, where is the need to keep hiking rates ? This is a temple as sacred as Mecca and Jerusalem, why is the government running it like a profit institution ? The Sabarimala pilgrims may be the most looted category amongst all pilgrim centres in the world.

 Every government department functioning there has as its sole motto – the unrestricted looting of the pilgrims. KSRTC buses fleece to and fro charges from Chalakayam to Pampa. Exorbitant parking fees are levied for motor vehicles. All eating establishments across the length and breadth of Kerala jack up rates indiscriminately. There is no quality check anywhere. The Police is squeezing the Devasom Board for the monopolistic security they provide. When any tragedy takes place, like last year’s incident during Makaravillaku time, every agency is busy blaming one another. There is no such concept like jurisdiction, responsibility, accountability or any redressal mechanism.

The Pujaris are out to make a big killing. There is no quality check on the manufacture of “Prasadams”. The only function of the government departments functioning there is to arrange for VVIP and VIP darshans, organised Q cutting, audience with Melshanti, free prasadam kits, free food etc.Most of the pilgrims do not observe the mandatory vrathas, do not grow beard, do not wear prescribed black dress.

I request agencies like the Akhil Bharatiya Ayyappa Seva Sanghom to file an Appeal to the Supreme Court against the hiking of pooja rates by the Devasom Board. Let them explain how the “record collections” are being utilised.

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