3+ week, 4+ day ago (230+ words) Guruvayur temple town launches QR-coded system to check parking availability, implements one-way traffic and enhances facilities for pilgrims during the Sabarimala season. Guruvayur introduces QR-coded parking updates and traffic changes ahead of the Sabarimala season. Guruvayur: Visitors no longer need to drive around searching for parking in the temple town " simply scanning a QR code will reveal available parking spaces. This initiative was discussed during a meeting led by the municipal council as part of pre-season preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. QR codes will be installed at key locations across the town, with implementation planned before December 1. During the Sabarimala season, a one-way system will be enforced for all vehicles on Guruvayur's Outer Ring Road, while currently only smaller vehicles are exempted. Street vending will be prohibited on the Manjullal-Temple Road from 7 am to 7 pm, except for vendors holding a…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (297+ words) Apparently, the temple body plans to boost security and outreach by setting up a cybersecurity lab, improving pilgrim facilities, and building 5,000 temples in areas with large Dalit and fishermen populations. Amaravati/Hyderabad: TTD chairman B R Naidu on Wednesday said his second year in office will focus on technology-driven reforms to enhance devotees' experience at Tirumala. Naidu said Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams will introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) solutions to shorten long queues and minimise discomfort, ensuring a seamless pilgrimage. "We will transform Tirumala's pilgrimage into a fulfilling journey using advanced technologies, enabling Sanatana Dharma to flourish globally," Naidu said, addressing a press conference here. He added that the temple body plans to set up a cybersecurity lab, enhance pilgrim amenities, and construct 5,000 temples in areas with significant Dalit and fishermen populations. TTD will also expand temple construction…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (235+ words) Earlier, Bhagwat had asserted that India does not require an official declaration to be a Hindu Rashtra, stating that "Bharat and Hindu are synonymous," and that the country's civilizational ethos already reflects this identity. Imphal: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said that Hindu society is essential for the world's survival, declaring that "without Hindus, the world will cease to exist." Addressing a gathering during his visit to Manipur, Bhagwat said Hindu society was immortal and had endured through time while great ancient civilisations had vanished. "Every nation of the world has seen all kinds of situations. Yunaan (Greece), Misr (Egypt) and Roma, all civilisations perished from the face of the earth. There is something in our civilisation that we are still here," Bhagwat said. He asserted that the global relevance of Hindu civilisation comes from India's…...

4+ day, 3+ hour ago (176+ words) Sreedharan Swami, 67, has walked to Sabarimala daily for 25 years, delivering newspapers and upholding a life of devotion and service. Sabarimala: Those who have visited Sabarimala know the challenges of climbing and descending the steep mountain. For 25 years, however, one man has undertaken the journey every day and now, at the age of 67, continues to do so. Sreedharan, known locally as Swami, hails from Meenangadi in Wayanad and distributes newspapers around the Sabarimala Sannidhanam. He increases distribution during the Mandala and Makaravilakku seasons and continues even after the temple closes. Although newspapers are transported to Pampa by tractor, Sreedharan delivers them on foot, as carrying passengers is not permitted. Sreedharan credits his daily routine for his good health, saying he has not experienced any major illness so far. While he shows signs of ageing, he continues to make the daily climbs…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago (199+ words) Sabarimala Mandala season kicks off November 16, with virtual bookings opening on November 1 and 70,000 darshan slots available daily. Pathanamthitta: The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple is gearing up to welcome a large number of devotees for the upcoming Mandala pilgrimage season, which will run from November 16 to December 27. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has announced that virtual queue booking for darshan will start on November 1. According to the TDB, a maximum of 70,000 pilgrims per day will be allowed through the virtual queue system, while spot bookings will be restricted to 20,000 devotees daily. During a review meeting to finalise preparations, the board decided to set up 10 nadapandals and a large German pandal at Pampa, capable of accommodating around 10,000 devotees at a time for resting purposes. To meet the high demand for Aravana offerings, the TDB will also maintain a buffer stock of 50 lakh Aravana…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (379+ words) Pathanamthitta: Only a few hours remain before the chants of millions of devotees echo once again at the sacred sanctum on the hill. The Sabarimala Dharma Sastha temple will open on Sunday for the pilgrimage season, which continues until January 20. Final preparations are underway at Nilackal, Pamba and the Sannidhanam. A permanent barricade has been set up this year at the point where buses stop on the way from Pamba to Nilackal, to keep pilgrims away from the road. German tents capable of accommodating 3,000 people have been erected at both Nilackal and Pamba. Construction of a new parking ground is also progressing at Nilackal. The temple will be opened on Sunday at 5 pm by the melshanti (chief priest) Arun Kumar Namboothiri, in the presence of Thantri (head priest) Mahesh Mohanaru. He will then descend the sacred 18 steps and light the…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (160+ words) The Travancore Devaswom Board will begin Sabarimala preparations every April, introduce a detailed manual, and upgrade facilities to national standards after High Court criticism. Thiruvananthapuram: Preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage will begin every year in April, with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) set to overhaul its planning system following the High Court's criticism of inadequate arrangements at the hill shrine. The pilgrimage management office in Pampa will be opened after the Vishu pooja in Sabarimala. TDB President K Jayakumar said a detailed manual, including a clear timetable, will be prepared to ensure that no major work remains pending after October. An agency with management expertise will be assigned to draft the manual. The board aims to upgrade Sabarimala's facilities to national standards. Although both the government and the TDB have repeatedly said that preparations would begin soon after Makaravilakku each…...

4+ week, 3+ hour ago (192+ words) With state-of-the-art facilities and a renewed focus on inclusion, the project reflects India's evolving approach to community welfare and spiritual infrastructure. Mumbai: The Ministry of Minority Affairs has announced plans for a new Haj House in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai " a project that marks a major step toward modernising India's Haj infrastructure and providing upgraded facilities for pilgrims. Dr'Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, recently conducted a site visit to the proposed location, accompanied by officials from the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). During the visit, the team reviewed the proposed layout and design plan, discussed the implementation timeline, and examined technical aspects crucial to ensuring the facility's efficiency. Connectivity, logistics, and amenities were also key points of discussion to make the new Hajj House a comprehensive support centre for pilgrims. The…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (208+ words) Erumeli springs to life as the Sabarimala season begins, with spot booking counters set up for pilgrims arriving without virtual queue reservations. Erumeli: With the commencement of Malayalam month Vrischikam, Erumeli has come alive with crowds. The air resonates with drum ensembles and chants. Devotees, clad in sacred attire and immersed in vows, throng the town with devotion. The festivities began in full swing on the last day of Thulam. " For devotees who have not booked through the virtual queue, a spot booking counter has been set up near the deity's sanctum, adjacent to the Devaswom office. This counter has also seen heavy crowds. The Erumeli Devaswom has organised the distribution of appam and aravana near the mandapam. Half of the 12 parking grounds are already full. In the evening, the main grounds witnessed a surge of vehicles. Various departments have…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (230+ words) The Kerala High Court has permitted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct scientific examinations at the Sabarimala temple to probe the reported gold loss from the shrine. Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday authorised the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to carry out scientific tests at the Sabarimala temple as part of its ongoing probe into the loss of gold from the shrine. The division bench, comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar, scheduled the tests for November 17. Originally, the tests were to be completed by November 15. However, after consulting the temple's Thantri (chief priest), it was clarified that, according to temple rituals, Deva Anujna (divine permission) is required before any examination near the sanctum sanctorum. As a result, the tests are now scheduled for November 17, to be conducted after the Ucha Pooja and post temple closure at…...