Sabarimala News: The Kerala government said Saturday the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala will allow a maximum of 80,000 devotees every day once the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season begins in November. The two-month long pilgrimage season draws millions of devotees to the hill shrine in Pathanamthitta district every year.
The government also said visitors would be given entry permits this year only if they apply through the online booking system.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took the decisions during an evaluation meeting he chaired Saturday to review the preparations for the pilgrimage season starting next month.
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More Parking Facilities This Year
The government said all necessary facilities would be provided for the devotees who would tread the traditional forest path to reach the shrine, adding that areas would be earmarked for parking and basic infrastructure would be set up there if vehicles needed to be regulated during peak hours.
A statement issued by the CMO said facilities for more parking were being arranged at Pampa and Nilakkal this year,
There will be health check-ups and training for ‘Vishudhi Sena’ or cleanliness volunteers, according to the statement, which added that the maintenance of the Sabari guest house in Sabarimala will also be completed soon, while work has already completed on the renovation of the Pranavam guest house.
Key dignitaries who attended the Saturday review meeting included Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan and Kerala Police chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib. Also present at the meeting were Chief Secretary Sharada Muraleedharan, Devaswom Special Secretary TV Anupama, ADGPs Manoj Abraham, S. Sreejith, Pathanamthitta District Collector S Prem Krishnan, and Devaswom Board president PS Prashanth.
Sabarimala, located 72 km from Pathanamthitta town, stands as one of India's most significant Hindu pilgrimage sites. The traditional path to reach Sabarimala begins at Erumeli, a distance of 40 km, though alternative routes from Vandiperiyar, Uppupara, and Chalakkayam via Plappally are also popular.
Nestled within the dense forests of the Western Ghats, the holy shrine is surrounded by rugged terrain and wildlife habitats. Millions of pilgrims descend on the hill shrine every year. While ‘Mandalapooja’ takes place in November-December, the 'Sacred Abode of Ayyappa' also draws devotees for ‘Makaravilakku’ in mid-January, which aligns with Makar Sankranti, and ‘Vishu Vilakku’ in April.