Reception to Sabarimala pilgrims from Tamil Nadu

SABARIMALA: As a confidence-building measure, the first batch of Sabarimala pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, after a week-long closure of the border check-post on the Mullaperiyar dam issue, were given a traditional and warm reception on their arrival at Kumily check-post on Saturday.Elected representatives, government officials, cultural leaders  and representatives of merchants and traders garlanded the 55-odd pilgrims, who belonged to Theni, Kumbam and Erode led by guruswami P H Selvam and Ayyappa Seva Samajam Tamil Nadu general secretary Raja guruswam.Hundreds of people participated in the reception. The pilgrims were later led to the resting place set up on the Kumili police station premises. District Superintendent of Police George Varghese garlanded the guruswamis on their arrival at the resting place. The pilgrims were given snacks and soft drinks by police personnel.A public reception meeting was held at the Kumily bus station ground which was inaugurated by representative of Poonjar raja Sujith Varma. Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam national general secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan delivered the keynote address.