Pala: The KSRTC has scheduled more than 150 services from various depots to the Nalambalam temple circuit in Ramapuram. Devotees and organisations can book seats in these special buses. The Nalambala darshanam pilgrim season begins on July 16. The four main temples at Ramapuram - Ramapuram Sree Ramaswamy Temple, Koodappulam Sree Lakshmanaswamy Temple, Amanakara Sree Bharathaswamy Temple and Methiri Sree Sathrughnaswamy Temple - are located within 18 kilometres. Meanwhile, the authorities hope that the number of bookings will increase as the devotees can complete the darshan at these temples before the commencement of 'uchapooja' or the prayer around the noon time.
The services have been scheduled as part of a budget tourism project. KSRTC will take the devotees who have already booked seats to the Nalambalam temples in special buses. Nalambala darshanam is a seasonal pilgrimage where the devotees visit the temples dedicated to Sree Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna on the same day during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam. Groups of at least 50 members could book the seats. Zonal coordinator R Anish, Kottayam, and Ernakulam district coordinator Prashant Velikkakam will oversee the arrangements and scheduling. Resting centres have also been arranged at Koothattukulam and Pala for devotees outside the district.
For bookings, contact:
Erumely – 9447287735
Ponkunnam – 9497888032
Erattupetta – 9947084284, 9497415696
Pala – 8921531106, 94474433090
Vaikom – 9995987321, 9744031240
Kottayam – 9400600530, 8078248210
Changanassery – 7510112360, 8593027457
District coordinator Prashant Velikkakam - 9447223212