Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], October 9 : In response to the opposition's demand to reinstate spot bookings for the Sabarimala pilgrimage during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, Kerala Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan clarified in the legislative assembly on Wednesday that the government has decided to regulate the number of pilgrims through an online booking system to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
The opposition leader, VD Satheesan, submitted a submission urging the government to reconsider its decision to abolish spot bookings, stating that many devotees, especially those from other states, are unaware of the online booking system. He emphasized that restricting entry solely through online booking would prevent thousands of devotees, who undertake the 41-day vratham (vow), from having a darshan at Sabarimala.
Satheesan pointed out that until 2018, all pilgrims arriving at Sabarimala were allowed to have a darshan and that blocking entry without proper arrangements like food and basic necessities at various holding points would lead to dangerous situations. He urged the government to restore spot booking and accommodate pilgrims who arrive without prior online reservations.
In response, Minister Vasavan explained that the decision to limit the number of daily pilgrims to 80,000 was made during a virtual meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. The meeting, attended by the Devaswom Minister, the Travancore Devaswom Board, police, and district administration, evaluated the possibility of allowing spot bookings. However, past experiences showed that allowing spot bookings increased the number of daily pilgrims beyond the manageable limit of 80,000, leading to challenges in ensuring a smooth pilgrimage.
The Minister further highlighted that during the last Mandala-Makaravilakku season, the number of pilgrims was capped at 90,000, with 15,000 entries through spot booking. However, several complaints were raised by devotees who were unable to have darshan due to overcrowding. Based on this experience, the government decided to rely solely on the virtual queue booking system this year.
The Minister also assured that necessary infrastructure and amenities would be in place to manage the flow of pilgrims efficiently. He stated that measures such as virtual queue booking, colour-coded slots, and real-time information on the preferred pilgrimage routes would be implemented. Furthermore, updates on the number of bookings will be regularly shared with the district administration and police for better crowd management.
Minister Vasavan reiterated that the decision to limit daily pilgrim numbers and eliminate spot bookings was crucial for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and ensuring the safety and convenience of devotees. The online system would provide a more organized and manageable flow of pilgrims, ensuring that the facilities at Sabarimala do not get overwhelmed.
The government remains open to suggestions and will continue to evaluate the system to ensure the best possible experience for all pilgrims, the minister concluded.