In a decisive move to manage the increasing number of devotees during the Mandala Puja, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has implemented a daily limit on virtual queue and spot bookings at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.
On December 25, coinciding with the arrival of the Tanka Angi procession, a maximum of 50,000 pilgrims will be allowed entry through the virtual queue. An additional 10,000 slots will be available the following day for the Mandala Puja, bringing the total to 60,000 slots. Furthermore, spot booking entries will be capped at 5,000 for both days.
Authorities plan to introduce similar restrictions leading up to the Makaravilakku ceremony on January 14, with a formal announcement expected soon.
The temple has experienced a substantial rise in visitor numbers recently, with 96,853 devotees recorded at the Sannidhanam on Friday, including over 22,000 from spot bookings. Heavy footfall continued into Saturday morning, with 31,507 pilgrims visiting by 8 a.m., including 7,718 via spot entries. By December 20, the total number of visitors to Sabarimala reached 27.04 lakh, an increase from 22.54 lakh during the same time last year.
To ensure the safety and health of pilgrims, an additional emergency medical center will be established on Chandranandan Road, situated between Marakuttam and the Sannidhanam. The TDB has been tasked with finding a suitable location to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
The Duty Magistrate is overseeing the distribution of 300 stretcher units within the pilgrimage zone, while the Sannidhanam Station House Officer has been instructed to secure buildings and prevent unauthorized access. Restrictive measures will also be enforced at the Nadapanthal stage to mitigate overcrowding, following concerns about inaudible announcements amidst the crowd and noise.
Published – December 21, 2024 08:23 pm IST
