Sources from Kerala have stated that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday while making the announcement those pilgrims to the famous Ayappa temple of Sabarimala will now have easier access to the temple town. The Kerala government today identified a place where a Greenfield airport will come up. It was stated that the site the 2,263 acre Cheruvally estate of the Harrison Plantations is just 48 km from the hill shrine. It is near two national highways and five roads built by the PWD.
Previously it was stated that pilgrims had to travel at least 150 km to reach
the shrine from Kochi, the nearest city with an airport. The shrine is visited
by Lakhs of people every year. The biggest rush is during the November-January
season.
Sabarimala is one of India's holiest shrines, the temple does not allow
entry to women between the age of 10 and 50 years a matter that has generated a
huge controversy. Meanwhile the Sabrimala Devasom Board, which manages the
temple, has argued that the ban is a custom and no court can interfere in
religious customs.
