Sabarimala: Devotees should not face any inconvenience

Sabarimala holds a prominent position among India's pilgrimage centres, not just in South India. It's a sacred temple ground where people from diverse linguistic, regional, and communal backgrounds converge to seek darshan of Lord Ayyappa. Sabarimala symbolizes communal harmony and unity. Everyone is welcome to worship Ayyappa there.

Numerous devotees from outside Kerala regularly visit Sabarimala. Not just from southern states, but lakhs of devotees from North India also flock to the temple during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. For them, the Ayyappa mantra is the only solace. They reach the temple after observing rigorous vritham (penance) and with unwavering faith. It is the responsibility of the Devaswom Board and the government to provide maximum amenities to these devotees.

I recently read in the newspaper that spot booking for Sabarimala darshan has been discontinued and only online booking will be available this pilgrimage season. I don't clearly understand this online technology. While we can't ignore the benefits of technology, not everyone needs to be familiar with it. People from various strata of life come to Sabarimala. When introducing new solutions, we must first consider how they'll impact ordinary devotees.

I had read that crowd control management efforts failed at Sabarimala last time, and many devotees from other states had to return without darshan due to overcrowding in Pandalam and other areas. Having personally visited Sabarimala three times, I urge authorities to provide essential facilities for a hassle-free experience this season, before the Vrishchika month commences. Devotees should not face any inconvenience. Alongside online booking, alternate arrangements must facilitate darshan for devotees unaware of or unversed in the online process.