THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A hassle-free darshan of Lord Ayyappa is now just a ‘touch’ away, courtesy a mobile app launched by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
The app - Sabarimala Sri Ayyappa Temple - gives a range of information to the devotees - including details about route, food, accommodation and darshan timings. Real-time information will be provided on changes in schedules, bookings at TDB’s accommodation facilities at Pampa and Sannidhanam and vacant slots in different parking areas, board officials said. The app is available in English, Malayalam and Tamil and can be downloaded free of cost from the Google Playstore. It has registered 500 downloads and a 4.8 Google rating out of 5 so far.
TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan said the app was part of a slew of measures taken by the board to ensure hassle-free darshan for devotees. “It enables us to give real-time information on various services that will be of immense help to the devotees. Facility to book vazhipadu (offerings) and accommodation will be incorporated shortly,” he said.
The ‘Temple Services’ section in the app has a festival calendar, details of daily pujas, vazhipadu rates and a temple services map showing the location of various service counters. The ‘Facilities’ section gives information on potable water outlets, resting places, ATMs, parking lots, petrol pumps, at Pampa, Sannidhanam and about the traditional trekking route. The ‘Food’ category has details of the annadanam counters, including menu and timings, and other restaurants at Pampa and Sannidhanam. A section titled Emergency shows the first aid locations, hospitals, police booths, fire service, ambulance and pharmacy service.
Maps and Routes section is a Google Map assisted service giving tips on the easiest routes to Sabarimala from different states.