Sabarimala Duty – What to Take With You
Published: July 23, 2023
Reading Time: 4 min read
This article contains the personal choices of the author. Written and posted on the 23rd of July 2023 by Anoop Prathapan. This is intended to be read by medical personnel who might need to take duty at Sabarimala.
Introduction
Being a doctor in Government Service, I was posted at Sabarimala for a week of duty, this month.
There are five locations where you could be posted to:
- Nilaykkal
- Pampa
- Neelimala
- Appachimedu
- Sannidhanam
Of these, the first two are at sea level and the rest are at various levels/heights of the Sabarimala.
So if you are posted at Nilaykkal or Pampa and if you go there by car, there could be a lot of stuff which you could take with you from home, to make your one week over there a lot better.
Below Are My Personal Choices
Personal Care
- Toilet Soap
- Washing soap/liquid detergent
- Towel
- Hand towel
- Shampoo
- Shaving set – foam/gel, brush, razor, scissors
- Deo spray
- Perfume spray
- Extra combs
Room Essentials
- Bucket and mug
- Water bottles – 1L (at least half a dozen)
- Extension cord (mandatory item)
- Electric kettle
- Coffee mug
- Plastic rope
- Three hangers (minimum)
- Bed sheet × 2
- Pillow with pillow cover
Tea & Coffee Essentials
- Sugar/Sugar-free powder
- Tea bag/Coffee powder
- Milk powder
Electronics
- Laptop computer + charger
- Mobile phone + charger
- Tablet + charger
- Bluetooth Speakers + charger
- BSNL SIM card (activated at least 24 hours before travelling)
Personal Hygiene
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Tongue cleaner
- Hand wash (small bottle)
Utility Items
- A pair of scissors
- A knife
Clothing
- Dhoti or casual pants × 7
- T-shirt or casual shirt × 7
- One formal shirt and pants
- Inner wears as required
- Warm clothing (during winter)
Medical Essentials
- Pain-killer medications
- Pain killer gel/spray
- Pantoprazole + Domperidone tablets
- Racecadotril 100 mg capsules
- ORS packets
- Routine medicines
Food & Snacks
- Dry snacks of your choice
- Biscuits
- Cup noodles
- Banana chips
- Lays
- Wafers
- Branded juice packets
Please carry only vegetarian food, as non-vegetarian food, including eggs, is not permitted anywhere in Sabarimala.
Additional recommendations:
- Knorr Veg Soup Powders
- Homemade vegetarian pickles
- Branded vegetarian pickles
- Dosappodi with a small bottle of oil
- Tight plastic food container
- Fruits (Bananas, Apples, Oranges)
Reading & Work
- Books you wished to read
- Pending office documents or unfinished work
Miscellaneous
- Packet of rubber bands
- Old newspapers
- Waste linen
- Plastic/cloth bags for used clothes
Car Preparation
As far as your car is concerned, fill in full tank petrol and check your air/nitrogen, latest before you leave Pathanamthitta town and enter the woods.
There is just one petrol station at Nilaykkal and it closes at 6pm.
Also if you know basic repairs of your car like changing a flat tyre etc, make sure you carry the tools for that as well.
Distance Information
- Pathanamthitta Central Junction → Pampa: 65 Km
- Pampa → Nilaykkal: 20 Km
Cooking Facilities
The dining halls in these hospitals have all been provided with an induction cooker by the authorities.
So if you can carry a couple of vessels with an induction base, you might be able to cook noodles or make a ready-made soup or make pasta.
Alternatively, if you wish to carry your personal induction cooker along, it is your choice.
Sadly carrying all these along is possible only if you travel by car and only if you are posted at Nilaykkal or Pampa.
Carrying so much uphill is next to impossible.
Hope this helps someone in need.
