The Sabarimala temple in Kerala is seeing a very heavy rush of devotees this pilgrimage season. More than two lakh pilgrims reached the hill shrine in just two days. Because of this, the Kerala government and the Travancore Devaswom Board have introduced new rules to control the crowd and ensure safety.
To avoid overcrowding, the number of daily spot bookings has been fixed at 20,000, and the total number of pilgrims allowed each day has been limited to one lakh. New booking counters are being opened at Nilakkal, so that people don’t gather in large numbers at Pamba. Those who do not get a spot booking on the same day can stay overnight at Nilakkal and visit the temple the next day.
Queue shelters on the trekking path have been strengthened, and water, snacks, and basic medical support are being provided. Extra staff have also been brought in from neighbouring Tamil Nadu to help manage the large crowds, maintain cleanliness, and distribute drinking water.
Despite the arrangements, officials say many people still arrive on the wrong dates or try to skip the queue, which creates congestion. On one day, authorities had to allow around 37,000 spot bookings, much higher than the limit, because many groups insisted on same-day darshan.
There were a few unfortunate incidents as well. A 58-year-old woman from Kozhikode collapsed and died while waiting in the queue. In another incident, a bus carrying pilgrims from Karnataka overturned near Erumely, though only minor injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has issued a health advisory for its pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala. This comes after cases of a rare but dangerous infection called amoebic meningoencephalitis, caused by the “brain-eating amoeba.” Pilgrims have been advised not to let water enter the nose while bathing in ponds or rivers, and to use nose clips if needed. The infection does not spread from person to person, but enters the body through the nose from contaminated water.
Kerala health officials have also asked pilgrims to carry their regular medicines, avoid overexertion, and seek help immediately if they feel breathless, weak, or experience chest pain. Emergency medical centres with doctors, ambulances, and equipment have been set up along the trekking path between Pamba and Sannidhanam.
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