Centre Expresses 'Anguish' Over Girl's Death In Sabarimala Rush, Asks Kerala CM To Ensure Measures

A 11-year-old girl collapsed and died while waiting for darshan at Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala.

To manage the rush, the temple has extended the darshan timing for an hour. ( Image Source :PTI )

Amid thousands of pilgrims influx to Sabarimala temple every day, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy wrote to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on the several problems and inconveniences faced by the pilgrims. He also asked the CM to "ensure adequate personnel and staff are deployed to ensure that the wait time for devotees is significantly reduced".

The Sabarimala Temple and the 40-day spiritual journey observed by the devotees of Lord Ayyappa are regarded as one of the most revered belief systems in the Hindu faith.

In the letter, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy said, “You would be aware that every year close to 1 crore devotees visit Sabarimala with a majority of them paying their respects to Lord Ayyappa during the Mandala season between November and January. Devotees from the Telugu states of Telangana, where I hail from, and Andhra Pradesh account for more than 15 lakh devotees.”

 

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy writes to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Sabrimala pilgrims facing several problems and inconvenience, asking him to "ensure adequate personnel and staff are deployed to ensure that the wait time for devotees is significantly reduced..." pic.twitter.com/Q8JEfmCIoF

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2023

“It has come to my notice first-hand from Ayyappa Swami bhaktas and through various news reports of the severe inconveniences being faced by devotees due to long wait times at the Sannidhanam The recent death of a young girl while waiting to avail of darshan has also caused much anguish and pain,” he said.

A 11-year-old girl collapsed and died while waiting for darshan at Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala last week. 

As a result, he said, “I request you to ensure that adequate personnel and staff are deployed to ensure that the wait time for devotees is significantly reduced.” He also requested the CM’s intervention to ensure that basic amenities such as food, water, access to hygienic sanitation facilities and medical assistance are provided to the devotees on their journey to Sabarimala.