PATHANAMTHITTA: The devaswom board is looking for new ways to ensure that pilgrims reach Sabarimala after booked in virtual queue. The board is planning to charge a fixed fee from all those who book and refund the money via online after their visit. This is to avoid the increase in the number of visitors who fail to appear for darshan after booked.
Those who do not arrive for the darshan after booking will lose their money. This will go to the fund of the devaswom board. The proposal has to be submitted to the high court and get the approval. Darshan was permitted to 10,000 daily via virtual queue for the poojas held last month. However, only 2000 turned up for the darshan.
Devaswom board president N Vasu discussed the complaints regarding the virtual queue with the police officials at the meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram the other day. The board has asked the police to set up a spot booking system at Nilakkal for pilgrims who arrive unaware of the booking.
The board directed to start bookings a week before the temple opens. The board has decided not to take over the virtual queue for the time being. It was assessed that complaints on the software are difficult to resolve.
Not arriving for the darshan after booked in virtual queue is a loss of opportunity for those who wish to arrive. That is why the opinion was raised to impose a fee. The board has not taken a decision.
N Vasu
Travancore devaswom board president