It was necessary to have a footbridge at Manappuram where people gather in large numbers for the sacred sacrifices of Shivratri Mahatmyam which preserves the prosperity of the country. Anwar Sadat MLA took the initiative and was able to complete the work quickly. Large crowds flock to Manappuram every year for sacrifices. In addition, the opening of the footbridge has been a great relief to the pilgrims in Aluva who come to Aluva Manappuram for the pilgrimage. Pilgrims return to Aluva Manappuram on the banks of the Periyar after celebrating the annual Shivratri festival in the month of Kumbha every year and offering sacrifices to their fathers the next day. On Shivratri and Karkitaka Vavu Bali, lakhs of people from all over Kerala flock to Aluva. Therefore, the Aluva River and Manappuram are not just for the people of Aluva.
The new walkway will add a new chapter to the old memories of the Aluva River. The Aluva River and the Manappuram Shiva Temple are part of the unique culture, faith, heritage, and great history of Kerala. It is as old as the history of Malayalees and Malayalam land. The need for a permanent footbridge to Manappuram was a lifelong dream of the believers and one of the most important on the list of needs of the Aluvakars. Seeing that need, the footbridge built by Manappuram with the intervention of Anwar Sadat, the main Jananayaka of the Aluva constituency, became a reality. At a cost of `14 crore, the bridge connecting the palace to Manappuram and the altar was 200 meters long, 7 feet wide and had a ‘two-way gate' system with state-of-the-art construction technology.
Temporary bridges were built during festivals and special occasions. But it cost lakhs of rupees. Not only that, but the strength to withstand the influx of large crowds has waned and often temporary bridges have been built to lead it. The bridge, a symbol of new progress, is a lifelong treasure trove for pilgrims to Aluva Manappuram and for other commercial purposes. The people are forever indebted to Anwar Sadat MLA, a pillar of Aluva's development policy, who took the helm to make this happen.
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