GOLD-COVERED MAST OF SABARIMALA TEMPLE FOUND DAMAGED; 3 HELD

SABARIMALA (KERALA): The newly-installed gold plated mast at the famed Lord Ayyappa Temple here was found damaged on Sunday, triggering widespread concern among devotees. Three persons were taken into custody in connection with the incident, officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the hill shrine, said. Sabarimala, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, attracts millions of devotees across the country and abroad during the three-month annual pilgrimage season from November-january. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed police to carry out a detailed enquiry into the incident and apprehend the culprits.