Sabarimala Restricts Spot Booking to 5,000 Daily After Kerala High Court Rebuke
In a major move to streamline crowd management during the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has capped Sabarimala spot bookings at 5,000 per day. The decision comes immediately after the Kerala High Court criticised lapses in managing pilgrim footfall, particularly during peak entry hours.
The TDB has also announced that spot bookings will now be allowed only at Nilakkal and Vandiperiyar, replacing multiple earlier locations to ensure better monitoring and smoother flow.
Officials stated that the situation has become more controlled after initial congestion issues at Pampa and Sannidhanam, where thousands of devotees usually converge during weekends.
Why the High Court Intervened
The Kerala High Court expressed strong displeasure over the crowd mismanagement that occurred due to inconsistent access control and last-minute spot bookings. The court observed that unrestricted spot booking caused unnecessary overcrowding, leading to long waiting hours for pilgrims.
Following the rebuke, the TDB acted swiftly to implement new rules that improve safety and ensure a more disciplined pilgrimage environment.
New Rules for Sabarimala Spot Booking
Here are the updated guidelines issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board:
1. Daily Limit Fixed at 5,000
Only 5,000 spot bookings per day will be allowed across the entire pilgrimage system.
2. Booking Only at Two Locations
Spot booking counters will function exclusively at:
Nilakkal
Vandiperiyar
3. Improved Crowd Flow
Officials report that the implementation of the cap has reduced rush at Pampa and Sannidhanam, helping maintain a steady flow.
4. Stricter Monitoring
Temple authorities have deployed extra staff and technology to avoid congestion and stampede-like situations.
Impact on Pilgrims
The new spot booking restriction ensures that:
Pilgrims get a more predictable darshan schedule
There is reduced overcrowding
Health and safety is prioritized during the peak season
However, authorities have urged pilgrims to book their virtual queue slots earlier to avoid last-minute inconvenience.
FAQ Section
1. Why was Sabarimala spot booking capped at 5,000 per day?
The cap was imposed after the Kerala High Court criticized poor crowd management and urged authorities to control the pilgrim footfall.
2. Where can devotees avail spot booking now?
Spot booking is now available only at Nilakkal and Vandiperiyar, as per the new TDB guidelines.
3. Will spot booking be available at Pampa?
No, the facility has been removed to avoid overcrowding.
4. Does the cap apply throughout the pilgrimage season?
As of now, the cap is active for the ongoing Mandala-Makaravilakku season. Any changes will depend on crowd flow assessments.
5. What should pilgrims do to avoid last-minute issues?
Pilgrims are advised to book their virtual queue slots in advance and avoid relying on spot booking.
source credit : Shibimol KG
Published on : 20th November
Published by : SARANYA
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