KOCHI: The Kerala High Court suggested that the number of pilgrims allowed to perform darshan during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season should be redetermined.

The court ordered that the government should make a staying facility at the base camp in Nilakkal. It also said that vehicles with up to 15 seats should be allowed till Pamba. The COVID-19 protocol should not create hardships for the pilgrims, the court observed.

Sabarimala Special Commissioner and the government had submitted a detailed report about the arrangements being made for the upcoming pilgrimage season. The court also directed the Travancore Devasswom Board to take appropriate steps to provide meal offerings (annadanam) to the pilgrims.

The court observed that annadanam in 'limited quantity', as proposed by the government must be relooked. "The concept of giving Annadanam in a limited quantity is alien to the concept itself," the bench observed.

The court also said that the 'virtual queue' will make it hard for devaswom officers and another facility should be arranged for those coming for duty.