First team of NDRF arrives in Sabarimala; more restrictions imposed in Sannidhanam

PATHANAMTHITTA: More restrictions have been imposed in Sabarimala following the unprecedented rush of devotees. Spot booking has been limited to 20,000. All arrangements will be made for a smooth darshan of Lord Ayyappa. As soon as the devotees reach Pampa, they will be able to have darshan and return within the stipulated time. If more devotees arrive, arrangements will be made for darshan on the next day. Spot booking in Pampa has been temporarily suspended. Spot booking centers have been opened in Nilakkal.

Accommodation facilities will be provided for devotees at Nilakkal. Entry from Nilakkal to Pampa will be restricted. More staff will be deployed on the Marakkoottam and Saramkuthi Sannidhanam routes. Drinking water, snacks and instant coffee will be provided to devotees everywhere in the queue complexes. The first team of NDRF from Thrissur has reached Sannidhanam to control the crowd. The next team from Chennai will arrive by today evening.

It is reported that there is not much crowd in Sannidhanam today. Devotees have been having darshan smoothly since the temple opened in the morning. Pilgrims are being allowed to travel from Nilakkal to Pampa only considering the crowd at Sannidhanam. There was a huge crowd in Sabarimala yesterday. Many of the pilgrims who waited for more than eight hours for darshan collapsed. Devotees had a tough time yesterday and was criticized for not making arrangement for a smooth darshan. Following that, darshan time was extended to control the crowd.