Kerala govt cancels annual Sabrimala Temple festival due to COVID-19 pandemic

On the wake of the increasing COVID-19 cases in the country, Kerala government has decided to cancel this year’s Sabarimala annual festival and has indefinitely postponed the opening of the hill shrine due to COVID-19. The festival was scheduled to begin on June 19, 2020. The decision was taken after the state government held a closed-door meeting with Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru and Travancore Devaswom Board officials in Thiruvananthapuram. The temple was earlier scheduled to be open from June 14 for the monthly pujas. 

Tantri had earlier written a letter to Devaswom Board Officials on June 10 The letter also mentioned that the pilgrims should not be allowed to enter Sabarimala Temple because of the worsening COVID-19 situation. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President and Commissioner, N Vasu had stated that he had consulted with Tantri along with the senior members of his family before recommending that Sabarimala temple can be opened from June 14 for the monthly pujas.  The tantri is usually considered as the final word on all ritualistic matters. The TDB, a government-appointed body, runs Sabarimala and other major temples in south and central Kerala. The state has reported 2161 coronavirus cases with 19 deaths. At least 1238 people are undergoing treatment and more than 2 lakh people are under observation.