Sabarimala: The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala remains out-of-bounds for most pilgrims for the yearly Onam puja on Thursday as River Pampa changed its course due to flash floods. Though Kerala's mountain ranges got a reprieve from torrential rain over the last few days, the Pampa is still dangerous to tread into.

The two bridges leading up to the hill shrine have been washed away in the flood. The riverbanks are deposited with thick silt of mud.

The river itself has changed its course, flooding the riverbanks where shops and washrooms were built on. The former trajectory of the river is a muddy path now.

Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar said that pilgrims were advised to stay away from Sabarimala as the trek was tough and treacherous. The only way to reach the sanctum sanctorum is to trek 22 km through the deep forest near Pullumedu. The traditional path, from Vandiperiyar through Pullumedu, is only recommended with the escort of forest guards.

The road from Laha to Pampa has caved in on many stretches. Huge trees have fallen onto the road at many places. The road does not exist at Planthode.

The bus service from Pathanamthitta to Pampa has been suspended. The bus from Erumeli stops trip at Attathode.

People working at Pampa and the shrine were starving until Monday when food packets were airlifted to the hill.

The sanctum sanctorum will open for the Onam puja at 5 pm on Thursday. The melshanthi and tantri are already at the hilltop. The temple will close at 10 pm on August 28.

Padmakumar called upon the pilgrims to go to Sabarimala only through safe routes. He said that the temple authorities had requested the state government to repair the roads to the temple urgently. The pilgrims will have to wait until temporary bridges are built to replace the broken ones.

He said that the irrigation department will have to be involved as River Pampa has changed its course dramatically.

The road between Plappally and Chalakkayam has been cracked up at several points. He said that the pilgrims would be allowed into the hill shrine only if they promise to abide by the regulations put in place by the authorities.

Pilgrims have been asked to go to Nilaykkal through Vadasserikkara, Chittar, Seethathode, Angamoozhi and Plappally. At Nilaykkal they have to wait for the instructions of the police.

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