Business of Sabarimala Pilgrimage
An estimated 5 crore (50 million) people undertake the 68-day Sabarimala pilgrimage every year. Pilgrims donated a staggering Rs.120 crore (Rs.1.2 billion) last year and is estimated to have crossed Rs.130 crore (Rs.1.3 billion) this year. It is a huge business.
Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is the administrative body of as many as 1,208 temples across the Kerala State and the board manages Sabarimala too. People in the board are often known for their proximity towards either of the two large political parties in Kerala. Corruption, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds are alleged against all successive boards.
Makaravilakku (a light seen on another hilltop from Sabarimala on one of the last few days of annual pilgimage season) is indeed a man-made phenomenon. Pious people throng Sabarimala on that particular day believing it as an act of a supreme power.
Railway board ran 674 special trains this Sabarimala season. This was in addtion to 660 sleeper coaches and 30 AC sleeper coaches added to existing trains. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation [KSRTC] earns Rs.3 crore just from Sabarimala-Nilackal chain service. Government charges Sabarimala for the deployment of over 3000 policemen at a time.
Sabarimala administrators are looking forward to a proposed master plan for infrastructure development with a fund of Rs.500 crore (Rs.5 billion). This is interesting when the suggestions by world renowned architect, Laurie Baker for an eco-friendly development is sidelined.
It is worrying to read 66 per cent of food in hotels found during the pilgrimage are unsafe. Equally worrying is the waste management and disposal at Sabarimala. Estimates shows that 350 tonnes of plastic waste, 550 tonnes of cloth and paper waste and 2,000 tonnes of food waste are generated at Sabarimala.
No body wants to kill this hen that lays golden eggs. Because, almost everyone is a monetary or spiritual benefactor of this annual ritual.
Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is the administrative body of as many as 1,208 temples across the Kerala State and the board manages Sabarimala too. People in the board are often known for their proximity towards either of the two large political parties in Kerala. Corruption, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds are alleged against all successive boards.
Makaravilakku (a light seen on another hilltop from Sabarimala on one of the last few days of annual pilgimage season) is indeed a man-made phenomenon. Pious people throng Sabarimala on that particular day believing it as an act of a supreme power.
Railway board ran 674 special trains this Sabarimala season. This was in addtion to 660 sleeper coaches and 30 AC sleeper coaches added to existing trains. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation [KSRTC] earns Rs.3 crore just from Sabarimala-Nilackal chain service. Government charges Sabarimala for the deployment of over 3000 policemen at a time.
Sabarimala administrators are looking forward to a proposed master plan for infrastructure development with a fund of Rs.500 crore (Rs.5 billion). This is interesting when the suggestions by world renowned architect, Laurie Baker for an eco-friendly development is sidelined.
It is worrying to read 66 per cent of food in hotels found during the pilgrimage are unsafe. Equally worrying is the waste management and disposal at Sabarimala. Estimates shows that 350 tonnes of plastic waste, 550 tonnes of cloth and paper waste and 2,000 tonnes of food waste are generated at Sabarimala.
No body wants to kill this hen that lays golden eggs. Because, almost everyone is a monetary or spiritual benefactor of this annual ritual.
Comments
Post a Comment
You are requested to comment your thoughts and join the discussion.