No spot booking, only online booking; concerning news for Sabarimala pilgrims

PATHANAMTHITTA: Causing concern to Sabarimala pilgrims, the government has decided that only darshans booked online will be happening for this year's Mandala-Makaravilakku season. Spot booking will be stopped completely. With this, it is feared that the devotees who reach Nilakkal and Pamba directly without booking will have to return without getting darshan.

The decision was taken at the Sabarimala review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. This is to avoid protests and clashes when the rush increases. However, the protests are likely to intensify when there is no spot booking and devotees are stopped.

Thousands of pilgrims, including those from other states, reach Pamba directly without booking. It is not clear whether they will be allowed to climb Sabarimala.

In previous years, there was spot booking in Pandalam, Chengannur, Nilakkal and Pampa. During the end days of the pilgrimage, spot bookings were restricted to Nilakkal and Pampa only. According to unofficial estimates, more than 5,000 devotees visited the temple every day on the busy days last time.

The groups that walk from Erumeli through the inland forest via the traditional route also do not book online. That is because they can't meet the stipulated time. More than 20,000 people who came last time like this had climbed the hill by making spot bookings at Pamba.

80,000 people a day

• Darshan to 80,000 people per day through online booking
• Route can be chosen through virtual queue booking.
• More parking facilities at Nilakkal and Erumeli

Concerns

• Thousands of people from other states arrive without knowing about online booking
• What will those who book online do if they are late because of a traffic jam?
• How will those who come directly to Pamba get darshan?
• Will those who walk through Erumeli without booking be allowed to Sannidhanam?

The decision to permit darshan only for those who book online should be reconsidered. Proposals to facilitate the pilgrimage, including this, will be submitted to the chief minister on the 9th.

Akkeraman Kalidasan Bhattathiripad,

Ayyappa Seva Samajam State President

The new arrangement is to have an understanding of those coming for the pilgrimage. If complaints are received, the Devaswom Board will consider it sympathetically and bring them to the notice of the government.

Adv. A. Ajikumar,

Devaswom Board Member

Pilgrims last time(devaswom board's estimate): 50 lakh

Last year's revenue: Rs 357.47 crore