Sabarimala Pilgrimage: Congress-Led UDF Pushes For Spot Booking As Govt Enforces Online Reservation

Kerala Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, expressed concerns in the Assembly, emphasising that the exclusive reliance on online booking would disadvantage thousands of pilgrims.

The Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala urged the state government to introduce spot booking for pilgrims during the upcoming Mandalam-Makaravilakku season at the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala on Wednesday. This plea follows the government's decision to mandate online booking for pilgrim slots and limit the daily count to 80,000.

Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, expressed concerns in the Assembly, emphasising that the exclusive reliance on online booking would disadvantage thousands of pilgrims, particularly those from other states who may not be well-versed in digital tools, as reported by Deccan Herald. He argued that restricting bookings to the online platform could deny those who undertake the 41-day fasting ritual the chance to complete their pilgrimage, potentially leading to unrest in the state.

In response, State Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan defended the government's decision, explaining that the 80,000 daily limit and online-only booking were implemented following a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on October 5, as per PTI. Vasavan highlighted that in previous years, spot booking had led to overwhelming crowds, making it challenging to provide adequate facilities for the devotees. The minister also mentioned that the virtual queue system would allow pilgrims to choose their preferred travel routes.

Despite the government's stance, several forums and devotees are voicing opposition, demanding a reconsideration of the regulations, as online booking may not be accessible to all pilgrims, particularly those from rural areas or other states.

Last year, the government faced heavy criticism for its mismanagement during the Mandalam pilgrimage season. Poor crowd control and inadequate amenities left many pilgrims without even getting a darshan. During the same time, a 12-year-old girl passed away suffering from breathless and collapsing during the trek to the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala.