Sabarimala: Creating history by becoming the first Marxist leader to visit the famed Sabarimala temple, 84-year-old Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan trekked an eight-km-long dense forest route to have a first hand knowledge of the problems faced by the devotees.

Velikakathu Shankaran Achuthanandan, popularly known as Comrade VS, heading the CPI(M)-led LDF government, reached the hilltop here last night after a three-hour-long walk along with thousands of pilgrims pouring into the shrine to have a darshan of Lord Ayyappa during the peak pilgrimmage season.

Not showing any strains of the long trekking, Achuthanandan who is also a regular practitioner of yoga, presided over a series of meetings with the temple officials this morning and announced a master-plan to develop this remote shrine, currently attracting lakhs of pilgrims from all over the country.

Devotees observe a 48-day strict regime before making their pilgrimmage, carrying erumudi (offerings) on their heads.

The shrine believed to have been existing since 1200 AD, also represents a secular character as devotees first offer worship at the mosque of Vavar, a Muslim associate of Ayyappa.

Though the shrine is open to people from all religions, women in the age group of 10-50 are however, banned from entering it.

Source : PTI