Sabarimala Pilgrimage Alert Issued Amid Kerala Heavy Rainfall

According to Pratidin Time, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has issued an advisory urging devotees to postpone their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. The recommendation comes as the region faces heavy rainfall, which has increased the risk of flooding and landslides in the hill districts of Pathanamthitta.

The advisory specifically targets those planning to visit for the annual Niraputhari rituals, which were scheduled for August 2 and 3. Officials from the TDB noted that the decision was made to ensure the safety of pilgrims, as deteriorating weather conditions have led to rising water levels in the Pamba basin and rendered the forested access routes to the temple potentially hazardous.

Local authorities have been monitoring the situation closely as the monsoon season continues to impact Kerala's high ranges. The TDB has emphasized that the safety of the devotees remains the primary concern, and they have requested that the public heed official warnings until the weather conditions stabilize. No timeline for the resumption of normal pilgrimage activities was provided, as officials continue to assess the impact of the ongoing rainfall on the shrine's infrastructure and surrounding forest paths.