Only groups accepting TDB norms will be allowed

PATHANAMTHITTA: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president M Rajagopalan Nair has said that only those voluntary organisations which accept the TDB stipulations will be  permitted to offer free food to the pilgrims at the Sannidhanam during the forthcoming Mandalam-Makaravilakku season.Talking to newsmen at Omallur Sree Rakthakandaswami Temple on Sunday, Rajagopalan Nair, who was there in connection with the inauguration of the valedictory function of the 10th Omallur Hindu meet, said that the organisations which comply the TDB conditions, including the clean  upkeep of the environment by deploying their own uniformed volunteers, would be allowed to undertake free food distribution at the  Sannidhanam.Resting Place for Pilgrims: Rajagopalan Nair said that  the Devaswom authorities would offer an additional  6.5 acres of open space  in the North Nada and  near the Nadapandal  for the pilgrims as  resting place during the  coming season.Preparations for the resting place by demolishing the pilgrim shelters near  Vandithavalam were progressing well.The copra yard and the area where the ‘vedi vazhipadu’ offering, opposite to the Sabari Guest House  at Sannidhanam, were  located would be converted  as resting place for the pilgrims.No Shops will be Allowed to Operate in North Nada: Rajagopalan Nair said that to prevent overcrowding in North Nada, the shops, which sell steel containers and vessels, and book stalls of the Hindu religious organisations would not be allowed to operate during the coming season.The book stalls would be relocated at a mutually  convenient location after  holding discussions  with the organisations concerned.Hotel at Valiya Nadapandal will not be Allowed : The TDB chief said that the hotel at the Valiya Nadapandal will not be allowed to  work during the coming season, taking into account the inconvenience to the  pilgrims.