Pathanamthitta (Keralam) | Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday visited the various places associated with the Sabarimala pilgrimage to review preparations and facilities for the upcoming season.

Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan, Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh, State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar, Travancore Devaswom Board president A Jayakumar, Pathanamthitta District Collector A Nizamudheen A, Ranni MLA Pazhakulam Madhu, heads of various departments and public representatives accompanied Satheesan.

Satheesan reached Nilakkal and inspected the preparations, including road repair work and vehicle parking facilities.

The team later moved to Pampa, where a review meeting was held at the Sree Rama Saketha auditorium.

Satheesan and Muraleedharan are scheduled to reach Sannidhanam, the temple complex, around 4 pm to assess the arrangements.

The chief minister is expected to visit the temple around 5 pm, officials said.

The Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple will open on November 16 for the 41-day Mandalam pilgrimage season.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told reporters in Alappuzha that security arrangements at Sabarimala would be strengthened this year.

"A review meeting on security arrangements is currently being held under the leadership of the Chief Minister. The police will convene a special meeting before the Mandalam season, bring together all concerned personnel and issue instructions," he said.

He said that the government is taking steps to ensure that the Sabarimala pilgrimage proceeds smoothly.

"The Chief Minister is holding meetings with all departments and taking the necessary measures. The police will subsequently convene a special meeting," he added.