{
  "id": 15457285,
  "title": "Keralam CM offers prayers at Sabarimala, reviews pilgrimage preparations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/keralam-cm-offers-prayers-at-sabarimala-reviews-pilgrimage",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T17:22:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/keralam-cm-offers-prayers-at-sabarimala-reviews-pilgrimage-preparations/article71596660.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan conducted prayers at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, marking the first visit by a chief minister since 2017. Accompanying him were Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan and Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh. The Chief Minister began the traditional trek from Pampa around 3 p.m. and arrived at the temple complex's Sannidhanam after 5 p.m., entering through the VIP gate to offer prayers. This visit served as a high-level review of preparations and infrastructure ahead of the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season, which commences next month. The temple experienced a significant number of pilgrims on the day of Satheesan's visit, with earlier events including the opening of the sanctum sanctorum by Melsanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri and the opening of Upadevatha temples and lighting of the Aazhi near the 18 holy steps.",
  "summary": "The visit marked the first time a Chief Minister had visited the hill temple since former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s visit in 2017",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Union Minister Suresh Gopi reviews facilities at Kottayam railway station ahead of Sabarimala season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/union-minister-suresh-gopi-reviews-facilities-at-kottayam-railway",
        "published": "2026-10-18T16:23:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}