SC allows VIP entry with riders in Sabrimalai

New Delhi, Jan 5: The Supreme Court today permitted VIPs to have darshan at Sabrimala Temple of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala.

Kerala High Court had earlier banned the VIPs from entering the temple on a PIL filed by R Ravikumar on the grounds that they cause problems and inconvenience to general public due to security arrangements made for them.

A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhan and Dalveer Bhandari today granted permission to VIPs in terms of the settlement arrived at between the parties namely the Temple management and the original petitioner according to which a VIP or a former VIP can take only four persons with him or her for security purpose.

The apex court had directed the litigating parties to settle the controversy amicably vide its order dated December 15,2006.

According to the consensus arrived at between the parties some people including President and two members of the Board, Statutory Commissioner, Secretary of the Board, Sabrimala Devaswom manager, Sabrimala Devaswom Executive Officer and Assistant Executive, chief engineer of the Board Executive Engineer and Assistant Engineer stationed at the temple Bhandaram Special Officer, Sopanam officer, Guest house manager, Accommodation officer, police officials of rank of SP and above, the chief coordinators numbering two and essential class IV staff for cleaning purposes can be admitted in the Sopanam Enclosure in front of the Sreekovil for darshan without causing any obstruction to the devotees standing in general queue.

Udayasthamana pooja costing Rs 20000 per ticket is booked till 2010 and only six members of the family of the devotee shall be permitted entry on the day of pooja and the pooja is not being performed during Mandalam month.

Padipooja costing Rs 30000 is booked till 2017. For Nitya pooja and Uccha pooja having tickets of Rs 2500 and Rs 2000 respectively, the tickets are issued day in advance. Usha pooja costs Rs 501. These three poojas are performed daily even during the month of Mandalam. Children and physically handicapped persons will be allowed to have darshan of the deity from a raised platform.

The above terms will be subject to the condition that at no time there will be more than 10 persons present in the Sopanam.

UNI