Ayyappan.info:: Lord Ayyappan On News

The Dinamalar, 23rd November, 2001

'Dinamalar' opens information centre at Sabarimala:

Sabarimala Nov.23. For the benefit of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala during the current Mandala and Makara Festivals, 'Dinamalar' has opened a Information Centre at Sabarimala.
At present there are more inflow of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. A Police control room has also been established at Pamba for the benefit of Tamil Pligrims. Madurai Sub.Inspector Mr.Velraj head the centre.

Devasom Board has established Cardiac Centres at Appachimedu and Neeli Malai.

To help better crowd management a new over bridge has been constructed at Marakuttam.

The Dinamani, 19th November, 2001

Imcome at Sabarimala cross 42 lakhs in 2 days:

Sabarimala Nov.18. Sri Ayyappan temple at Sabarimala has earned an income of 42 lakhs in just 2 days. Of this 18 lakshs amounts to Hundi collections and the rest amounts to sales of Aravana and Appam.

The inflow of pilgrims has come down due to rain at Pamba and Sannidhanam and also due to transport strike in Tamil Nadu.

The Hindu, 21st October, 2001

Raman Namboothiri new Sabarimala Melsanthi:

Mr. A.R. Raman Namboothiri of Thrikkalathoor Athrasserry Illom in Muvattupuzha and Mr. V. Sreevalsa Sarma of Neduvathoor Muriayamangalathu Madhom, near Kottarakkara, were chosen as the new Melsanthis of the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple and the Malikappuram Devi Temple in a draw of lots held at the `sopanam' of the respective temples this forenoon.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), custodian of the Sabarimala temples, had short-listed nine priests from among the 33 valid applicants for the post of the Sabarimala Melsanthi after a personal interview held in Thiruvananthapuram on October 18. Another set of nine priests have also been shortlisted for the post of the Malikappuram Melsanthi from among a total of 10 valid applicants............ Click here for full story

The Times of India, 19th October, 2001

Better facilities at Sabarimala this year :

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pilgrims trekking to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala this year can look forward to better medical facilities and sanitation as well as more efficient crowd control.

Among the new facilities en route to the hill-top shrine dedicated to the Hindu god Ayyappa are oxygen kiosks for pilgrims with breathlessness, an improved base camp near the holy Pamba river and better sanitation.

The five-km steep climb from the base camp at Pamba to the temple is an arduous one and often creates problems for the aged or the feeble.

State Devasom Minister G. Karthikeyan, who is in charge of shrines, said this time a new cardiology centre would start functioning, besides strengthening of the existing medical facilities.

............ Click here for full story

The Hindu, 16th October, 2001

HC orders interview for Melsanthis on Oct. 18:

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to hold the interview of the selected candidates for the posts of Melsathis of Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples on October 18 and draw the lots for the final selection on October 20

............. Click here for full story

The Hindu, 15th October, 2001

Stand-off over melsanthi indicates deeper malaise in Sabarimala:

The ongoing controversy over the selection process of the new Melsanthi at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple has reflected the casual approach on the part of the concerned authorities to the rituals as well as the administration of the famous temple, besides putting its sanctity at stake.

......... Click here for full story

For News items published in the year 2000 - Click Here