THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Only 5,000 are allowed inside the Sabarimala shrine for Kumbha Masa pooja. The government has revealed its stand on the high-level panel meet. The number of devotees was limited considering the rapid spread of the pandemic.

The Travancore Devaswom Board has demanded to allow 15,000 pilgrims for darshan to the shrine. Demanding this, the board has even-handed over a letter to the government. In the wake of the pandemic’s rapid spread, devaswom ministry had deputed the health department to take an appropriate decision on the matter. The high court has also earlier allowed only 5,000 persons for the monthly pooja.