New Delhi President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit the Sabarimala Temple on October 22, following the Diwali festival, where she will offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa. She will travel to the hilltop shrine in a vehicle provided by the Kerala Police.
This information was shared by the Special Commissioner of Sabarimala with the Kerala High Court, which on Thursday granted permission for the movement of the VVIP convoy to the temple. The court also directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to ensure comprehensive crowd management arrangements in view of the President’s visit.
According to the Special Commissioner, the President’s convoy will include five Kerala Police four-wheelers and an ambulance. The convoy will proceed along the traditional 4.5-kilometer Swami Ayyappan route up to the Sannidhanam.
A TDB official stated that ambulances and tractors are available through the TDB and the Forest Department for use in emergencies and for transporting supplies to the temple. President Murmu will arrive in Kerala on October 21 for a four-day visit.
The court further instructed that all arrangements must comply with the “Blue Book” protocol for VVIP security. Police officials in Pathanamthitta confirmed that security preparations are underway. Traditionally, devotees undertake the uphill journey to the temple on foot or in palanquins.
TDB officials noted that former President V. V. Giri had visited Sabarimala in the 1970s, traveling to the shrine in a palanquin.
