Spot booking capped at 20,000; 85 devotees to climb Pathinettam Padi per minute; Sabarimala pilgrimage restrictions according to daily crowd

SABARIMALA: The number of people who can have darshan at Sannidhanam through spot booking will be controlled according to the rush of the day. This will be decided by a meeting of the Sabarimala Executive Officer and the Sannidhanam Chief Police Coordinator. A maximum of 20,000 people will be allowed to have darshan through spot booking. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan as per the High Court directive.

The number of slots allowed each day should be informed to the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. On Saturday, 12,500 people were allowed to have darshan through spot booking. 72,845 pilgrims had darshan till 7 pm on Saturday. The number of people climbing the Pathinettam Padi (eighteen holy steps) was also increased to control the crowd. The average number of people climbing the steps per minute was 70, which was increased to 85. The number of people climbing the steps was increased by deputing more experienced police officers.

The High Court imposed strict restrictions following the uncontrolled rush of pilgrims at Sannidhanam on the 18th. 90,000 people were allowed to have darshan per day, including 70,000 through virtual queue booking and 20,000 through spot booking. The rush was caused by those who booked through virtual queue arriving without following the schedule, the increase in the number of people arriving through spot booking and the police failing to control the situation. Following this, the court fixed the spot booking limit at 5,000. The spot booking centers in Pampa were closed. Pilgrims arriving without a virtual queue are currently allowed to visit through spot booking through seven counters set up at Nilakkal.

Joint meetings should be held daily

Directive was given by Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan in a high-level review meeting that a joint meeting of Devaswom Board representatives, police, health, fire force, forest, water authority and public works should be held every day at Sannidhanam under the leadership of the ADM, and the issues raised in the discussion should be resolved immediately.