KOTTAYAM: Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan clarified that there will be online booking in Sabarimala and no direct spot booking for mandala-makaravilakku mahotsavam. He said the number has been reduced for the smooth darshan and full darshan will be ensured for the devotees visiting the temple.

Akshaya Kendras will be set up at various resting places. The information of the devotees will be collected. No one coming wearing the Ayyappa mala will be sent back. The interests of the devotees will be protected. The devotees are being misled by some political parties. The people will recognize it. If they take political advantage, then will face them. There is no chance of riots, the minister said.

The review meeting of the Travancore Devaswom Board, convened the other day decided to inform the government that spot booking for Sabarimala darshan should not be completely avoided. It is indicated that a decision will be taken to allow spot booking in the next review meeting to be attended by the chief minister. This is following the situation that led to severe protests after taking the decision that only online booking is sufficient.

A directive was raised in the meeting that spot booking should be done by collecting identity document like Aadhaar and photograph in Pampa. CPM state secretary M V Govindan said in a press meet that the government is not adamant that only online booking is enough. If the complaint about the restriction is factual, necessary changes will be made. There are many people who are not aware of the online system, including people from other states. He also said that the government will take an appropriate decision.

Board president P S Prasanth had said that there will be no situation where any devotee will return without getting darshan. As it is necessary to collect accurate information about the devotees, it was decided in the meeting chaired by the chief minister last Saturday that it is enough to allow 80000 pilgrims per day through online booking.