PATHANTHITTA: As Mandala Puja is going to be held today, Sabarimala is crowded with devotees like never before. More than one lakh people have been coming for darshan in the last two days. With this, the control measures also failed. In addition to 90,000 virtual queues and 10,000 spot bookings, many people come directly to Sannidhanam through Kanana Patha and Pulmedu. The police say that they are providing darshan facilities to all who come since the nada will be closing today. The nada will open again on 30th at 5 pm for Makaravilak.

Yesterday, the queue stretched for 15 hours. Even yesterday there was a situation where devotees who could not reach Sannidhanam had to go back after breaking the Nei Thenga at the Pandalam. This happened two weeks ago as well and it was widely criticized. Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan was sent to Sabarimala from Navakerala Yathra because of this. The darshan facility was speeded up on that day by deputing experienced policemen at Pathinettam Padi.

However, the hardships experienced by the pilgrims for two days point out that there is no permanent solution to the problems. Pilgrim vehicles were blocked for hours on the Ponkunnam-Vaikom route and at Erumeli and Pathanamthitta stops. Pilgrims queued up the steep climbs at Neelimala and Appachimedu. Following the warning that this could pose a major hazard, restrictions were imposed at Pampa, Sabaripeedam and Marakkoottam. With this, complaints about the inconveniences increased.

Devaswom Minister K. Radhakrishnan and Board President P.S. Prasanth and ADGP MR. Ajith Kumar are present at Sannidhanam.

18 crore decrease in income

Although there was an increase in the number of pilgrims, there was a decrease of Rs 18.67 crore in nada varavu compared to last year. 204.30 crore nada varavu was received after 39 days of pilgrimage. It was 222.98 crore last year.

Facility should be provided: Telangana

Telangana Minister Anasuya Seethakka asked Kerala to provide infrastructure for devotees at Sabarimala. Devotees have to be given food and drinking water while they wait on the road for hours. The Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu had earlier sent a letter to the government with this demand.

Pilgrims till December 25: 31.43 lakh

Last year: 30 lakhs