New system introduced at Sabarimala to manage pilgrim rush

PATHANAMTHITTA: The police have set up a microphone announcement system to give instructions to Ayyappa devotees climbing the holy 18 steps. Amid loud chants of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa,” verbal instructions are often not clearly heard by devotees.

A large number of pilgrims climb the steps with small children. Police personnel on duty are seen taking special care to ensure that children are guided safely while climbing the steps. To make sure that instructions are clearly heard by the devotees, police officers have been provided with megaphones and microphones.

Special police personnel have been stationed near the flagstaff to give instructions through microphones to devotees climbing the 18 steps. Announcements asking pilgrims to climb the steps in an orderly manner while chanting are being made through megaphones. Apart from the 18 steps, the police have also arranged microphone announcement systems at various other points.