PATHANAMTHITTA: Devotees are restricted in Sabarimala ahead of makaravilakku. After the end of the mandala season, the spot booking in Sabarimala has been avoided. There will be only virtual queue. There will be no spot booking from January 10. On January 14, the virtual queue booking limit was limited to 50,000. It was also reduced to 40,000 on January 15, Makarvilaku Day.

The Devaswom Board informed that women and children should avoid pilgrimage to Sabarimala on 14th and 15th. The decision was taken in a meeting attended by the Devaswom Minister. The board also said that they have informed the police that there will be a need for control on Makaravilakku Day. The Pathanamthitta police had handed over a letter to the Devaswom Board stating that strict restrictions would have to be imposed at Sannidhanam. The new decision of the board is based on this. Darshan has been arranged for more devotees from Jan 16th to 20th. The devaswom board also requested the devotees to avail this facility.

There were many crises faced by the devotees in various places including Erumeli during the mandala season this time. It is estimated that if these things are not resolved without recurrence, there may be serious consequences during the Makaravilakku season. Most of the pilgrims complained that there had never been a pilgrimage season like this one, which was fraught with conflict, increased accidents, exorbitant fees, extortion and lack of cleanliness.