However, like a true Marxist, Comrade VS did not offer prayers there.

The CPM veteran arrived at the base of the hill at Pampa around 5 pm along with Health Minister P K Sreemathy and party leaders of Pathanamthitta district where the holy hillock is located. The team began trekking the five km-long hill from Pampa to Sannidhanam which includes two steep rocky stretches called neelimala and karimala. ``Though he stood by the wayside at some points, comrade VS refused to sit down and take rest despite our requests,’’ said one of the officials who accompanied the chief minister and others.

The team took three hours to complete the journey through the Periyar Tiger Reserve at the end of which the chief minister retired to the guest house instead of climbing the holy 18 steps.

The 84-year-old CPM leader known for his disciplined lifestyle, frugal meals and yoga said he found the climb much easier than some of the earlier journeys he had undertaken. The authorities had even taken along a `dolly’ (manually carried extended chair) with the team to meet exigencies.

Though Marxists are self-professed atheists, Mr Achuthanandan was forced to visit the shrine following the controversies that marred this pilgrimage season. Complaints of inadequate facilities and an unprecedented shortage of aravana prasadam had cast a shadow on the Mandalavilakku season which concluded recently.
On Monday morning, the chief minister inaugurated a cardiac centre at the temple hospital complex and also presided over a series of meetings to review the arrangements for the ensuing Makaravilakku.