Sabarimala: The path to the famed Hindu pilgrim centre in the Western Ghats has been ruined in the recent disastrous floods. Pilgrims who decide to proceed to the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, are set to face even more challenging obstacles in the form of damaged or blocked roads as well as unfit public facilities as a result of rivers that ran over the lands and buildings in their course.
The confluence of the Pampa, Kakki and Njunungar rivers in Pathanamthitta district has been turned into a heap of mud after the floodwater receded. While the Pampa and Kakki rivers have changed course, Njunungar has been blocked by a newly formed mud bank.
A check conducted soon after the deluge subsided showed that the spot of the confluence has been covered under layers of sand. There are no traces of the buildings, walkways and bridges that dotted the pilgrim centre. The bridge at the confluence is also buried under loads of sand, with only the ends of the bridge now visible. The Ramamoorthi mandapam, where thousands of pilgrims, used to take rest every season is nowhere to be seen. The Pampa and the Kakki rivers have taken over the spot. Even frequent pilgrims would now find it difficult to recognise the place.
The Hindu pilgrim place is expected to be out of bounds for a long time. considering its current state brought about by the unprecedented rain, floods, landslides and release of dam waters. The accumulated mud, sand and pebbles have changed the terrain beyond recognition. The still-raging river separates the Triveni confluence from the venue of the Sannidhanam (main temple). The current is too strong at this stretch.
Meanwhile, less than hundred people are still put up at Pampa and surroundings, including the Sabarimala temple priest, staff and officers of the KSEB, public works, forest, police and BSNL. Providing food to the people at the Sannidhanam is a tough task. They are surviving on the stocked up food.
Pampa out of bounds
The banks of the Pampa river has collapsed for kilometres. Even the road to Pampa, beyond Triveni, is damaged. The road has caved in near the Kambakathu bend, Chakkupalam bridge and the KSRTC bus stand. The office of the public works department on the banks of the river is buried under a heap of sand that rises about 10 feet. The river bed is all dry while the river has claimed its bank.
The Kakki river is still in spate as the Anathode reservoir is not shut yet. The river has chosen to flow between the washroom complex and the office complex. A sand bank has come up between the rivers at this place. However, only a stream is seen where the Pampa flowed before the flood.
The bridge and the walkway on the river bank are gone too. The media stall is gone too, except for remnants of the roof. The Pampa river has also taken over the wide road used by trucks and VIP vehicles to reach Sannidhanam.
The gateway to the hilltop parking place has been blocked by a landslide. Mud and boulders have filled the path. Six of the nine blocks of the washroom complex are missing. One of the remaining three can crumble any time.
The restoration of the river banks is near impossible as vehicles that could be brought for work will sink in the mud. It might take several months to clean up the silt.
