The Worst Sanitation Condition at Sabarimala

Dr P V Sesha Sai Aswamedhayaaji                                                                                                                                                                               President  WORLD BRAHMAN ORGANIZATION                                                                                #303, Vijetha Sanjeevani Apartments,    6-4-8, Musheerabad Main
Road,   Opp Gandhi Hospital, SECUNDERABAD  500080  AP India                                                                                                                                                                     E mail shodasisai@hotmail.com    web  http://aswamedhayaaji.com                                                          Land Line 040 65581368                                                                                                                       14^th September  2012

What is that we are doing during the third quarter – 16(Travancore Devaswom Board)

Shri.V.S.Sivakumar
Hon’ ble Minister for Health, Family Welfare and Devaswom, Govt. of Kerala
E-mail: minister-health@kerala.gov.in
Dear Shri Sivakumar

Regards to you.  Recently I visited Shri Sabarimala and walked to the shrine from Pamba River.  The following are my observations:-

1)      It appears that the temple is not taken care of by the Government as much as expected of it due to the reason that there were five cardiology and health check up centers but not a single toilet. It is a fact that millions of pilgrims visit the temple and to the best of my knowledge only 1% or 2% need the medical care while more than 90% need basic amenities like toilets.  It is really a sad affair that this basic need is not taken into consideration

2)      The toilets which are under the control of the Government at the temple are in such a shabby manner, unfortunate it is, the engineers and supervisors appointed for construction of the toilets, are not that educated, or they are from other religions intentionally planning to cause destruction to Hindu temple atmosphere.  The doors of the toilets are constructed in such a way that it does not give a scope for a person to enter.

3)      The food is absolutely bad and it is a litmus test about the functioning of the Government in Kerala.  Most un-hygienic conditions prevail at the temple, and there are hundreds of pigs comfortably eating the garbage while fast food is getting served to fellow human beings.  It is not known whether any one visited these areas and if visited, how and on what basis they left the matter unattended.

4)      Coming to the rooms for the pilgrims, please pay attention to this by deputing any responsible person to the spot and get the same checked up whether they are suited for human beings with common minimum need or not.  After all, pilgrims need no beds, no mugs, no buckets, no hot water, and only and ONLY WATER IN TOILETS and clean floor for performing their rituals.  You might be aware that the pilgrims visit the shrine after observing 40 days plus deeksha – sleeping on floor, non using of chapels and keeping their mind and body – most sacred.  For such of those persons who impose faith on Hindu Traditions, the atmosphere you provided at Sabarimala, make them to give up all such deekshas and stay back at home instead of visiting Kerala.

5)      Kerala is known for tourism and the tourism is one of the most important revenue generating area in Kerala.  Ill treating the pilgrims and tourists – does not help the Government to attract people from faraway places.  Interestingly, I observed that sanctity is maintained in other religious places other than Hindu temples and lot of attention is seen in up keeping the religious places of other religions. 

6)      The construction of the foot road towards the Main Shrine is in such a nasty way that almost 70-80 degrees elevation is maintained without steps.  Only a ramp like is constructed and while climbing, the difficulty is party seen but while getting down, the situation is so awfully bad that anyone can roll down easily. 

7)      Sanitation is hopelessly worst throughout and a lot can be done for the pilgrims WHO ARE PERMITTED TO VISIT ONLY 30 DAYS OR SO IN A YEAR, BUT THE INCOME GENERATED FROM AND OUT OF SUCH VISITORS IS USED FOR PAYMENT OF SALARIES AND MAINTENANCE OF STAFF THROUGH OUT THE YEAR.  It is not known as to what problem the Government faces for keeping the pilgrims safe just for 30 DAYS IN A YEAR when so much care is taken about the temple staff throughout the year, while the pilgrims are contributing to the temple and temple authorities in such a manner the income is increasing year by year – pushing the Government into heavy surplus year by year. 

All this speak that there is something which need to be taken up from your level, if you are interested and so serious about the maintenance of Hindu Temples and Hindu Pilgrims.  It is also not known whether these points have been to your notice all these years, if not, it is right time for you to take suitable action and keep watch on the developments by appointing a person as an observer from and outside of the Government agencies and staff, to have an unbiased and clear picture on the on-going matters at the temple.

Please do take steps to protect HINDUISM AND HINDU TEMPLES.  You do not have to pay great attention for those temples which are situated in towns, but there is every need for you to take matter seriously for those temple which are in forests where basic amenities need to be provided only by the Government and not by any private agency.

An acknowledgement will help us to understand that you are really serious on the matter. Yours truly,

Hara Hara Mahadeva

Dr P V SESHA SAI ASWAMEDHAYAAJI

Copy to      1) Sri. K. Jayakumar IAS, Chief Commissioner
E-mail: chiefsecy@kerala.gov.in,                                                       2)     Executive Officer Travancore Devaswom Board office  Nanthancode,Thiruvananthapuram 695003.