PTI 

SABARIMALA, Nov 18: The Travancore Devaswom Board has insured the Sabarimala Ayyappa shrine for a value of Rs 30 crore and introduced a free-of-cost accident insurance project for pilgrims visiting the holy place.
 
The scheme, launched in tie-up up with United India Insurance Company, was inaugurated by TDB president G Raman Nair here on Friday evening.
 
The temple with gold-coated roof had been insured against all possible damage, including fire and earthquakes, a TDB official said.
 
Besides, jewels and other costly articles of the temple had been separately insured for Rs 5 crore and the administrative buildings adjoining the temple for Rs 1 crore.
 
The pilgrims' insurance scheme offered up to Rs 1 lakh to the devotees suffering injuries or death at a stretch of about 18 km from Nilakkal to uphill Sannidhanam where the temple is. The compensation for TDB and government employees on duty at the area will be up to Rs 1.5 lakh.
 
The devotees visiting the shrine for a year from November 17 have been covered by the scheme, for which the TDB has paid Rs 14.75 lakh as premium.
 
An estimated three crore pilgrims had visited the temple last year during the main season from November to January.