Tue May 13 17:19:53 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the text:
**Presidential Visit to Sabarimala in Limbo, Temple Board Awaits Confirmation**
PATHANAMTHITTA, India – May 13, 2025 – The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) remains uncertain about a potential visit by President Droupadi Murmu to the Sabarimala temple on May 19th. While initial reports suggested the visit would occur for the Idavam monthly poojas, followed by a later communication the visit was canceled, the TDB received a new message suggesting the visit may still occur.
“As of now, what we know is that the President is not visiting,” a TDB official stated, “but we convened a meeting this morning after receiving a message that the visit to the hill shrine might still be on. We await official confirmation.”
The TDB had previously started preparations, including infrastructure work near the Nilakkal helipad, but halted the work once the visit was canceled. Virtual queue bookings for May 18th and 19th were initially suspended, then resumed.
If the visit proceeds, it would be the first visit by a sitting President since V.V. Giri in 1973. Giri’s visit led to significant infrastructure improvements, including the Chalakayam-Pampa Road, built upon his request after a visit in 1962 as Governor of Kerala.
The Sabarimala temple will open for the five-day monthly poojas on Wednesday and will close on May 19th night. The TDB will proceed with arrangements if official confirmation from security agencies is received.
First Piper 