The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided that devotees will not be allowed to enter Sabarimala temple during this year’s Vishu festival on April 14, in view of the nationwide lockdown over coronavirus outbreak. The decision was taken in the board meeting held on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, TDB had issued an order restricting entry of devotees during the monthly puja at the temple. The board also revised the puja timings at various temples.
This order will expire on March 31. Hence, the board issued another order extending the expiry period of the previous order including the restriction on darshan till April 14.
Examining the problems faced by the retired staff to collect a pension from banks, the TDB has decided to direct Dhanalaxmi bank to make arrangements to transfer funds to the bank account of the pensioners so that they can withdraw it through ATM counters, informed TDB president Adv. N. Vasu.
The lockdown also affected the financial base of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Pointing out this, TDB has decided to request the staff members except daily wage workers to give up their one-month salary for TDB temple renovation fund.
In a press release, the TDB president noted that the staff will be allowed to donate salary with a single payment or as a maximum of 6 instalments.
