PATHANAMTHITTA: With the rush increasing at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, a large number of Ayyappa devotees have started returning to their homes without entering the temple. Several pilgrims are returning home after performing 'Neyyabhishekam' at the Valiya Koyikkal temple in Pandalam. Devotees from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and different parts of Kerala are returning home as they were unable to get Sabarimala darshan despite waiting for hours.

There is a long queue from the Sabaripeedam. Devotees are finding it hard to move forward once they reach Appachimedu. Devotees are even finding it hard to return home as KSRTC buses to transport pilgrims are also stuck in traffic.

The authorities are facing a setback as not enough police officers are on duty to manage the crowd. About 80,000 pilgrims visit the temple every day, and only 1850 police officers are on duty to control them. On an eight-hour shift, there are just 615 officers. Additionally, it is alleged that experienced police officers haven't been deployed to manage the crowd.