Massive Rush at Sabarimala; woman collapses, dies amid heavy devotee turnout
Pathanamthitta: Sabarimala witnessed an unprecedented surge of pilgrims on Tuesday, resulting in severe congestion and the tragic death of a devotee. Sati (60), a resident of Koyilandy in Kozhikode, collapsed at Appachimedu and was declared dead shortly after.
Massive Rush Leaves Pilgrims Struggling
The influx of devotees has intensified sharply, with thousands enduring hours-long queues under difficult conditions. Many pilgrims reported waiting without adequate access to food or drinking water, and the queue has stretched as far as Marakkoottam.
Authorities have halted entry to the flyover from Pampa to the Ganapathy Temple to manage the crowd buildup. Devotees are being held for nearly 30 minutes at the Pampa Nadappanthal before being allowed to proceed. The court has permitted a daily darshan capacity of 90,000 pilgrims, but on-ground arrangements have been unable to cope with the pressure.
Police Cite Partial Functionality of Crowd-Management System
Sabarimala Police Chief S. Sreejith admitted that the crowd-control mechanism is only partly operational.
“Pilgrims are being diverted, and many are reaching Marakkoottam without entering the queue system. Multiple entry points are causing confusion, and devotees are not merging into the structured pathway. This is why the rush appears overwhelming,” he said.
He urged devotees to strictly follow police instructions. “Spot booking and other procedures are functioning as per court directives. We try our best to respect the emotions of pilgrims. We can advise, but we cannot force,” Sreejith added.
Due to the heavy turnout, access to and from Pampa will continue to be strictly regulated. Many devotees reportedly waited more than six hours for darshan on Monday.
Inadequate Preparations Blamed for Crisis
Officials and pilgrims alike have pointed to poor planning this season as the primary cause of the crisis. The temple remained closed during the early days of the Mandala–Makaravilakku season, leading to a sudden spike once it reopened.
Coordination between KSRTC and police at Nilakkal has also broken down, leaving many pilgrims stranded and unable to board buses to Sannidhanam. The barricade system used in previous years at Nilakkal has not been installed this season, significantly worsening crowd movement.
Reports suggest a sharp reduction in police deployment compared to previous years. Central forces such as the NDRF and RAF—usually stationed at Sannidhanam and Pampa—have also not been deployed despite the escalating situation. Although the state home department sought central support, the deployment that traditionally begins at the start of the Mandala season was not initiated this year.
Officials are now being urged to take immediate corrective measures, including restoring the Nilakkal barricade system and ensuring safe boarding of KSRTC buses.
Devaswom Board Flags Alarming Situation
Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President K. Jayakumar acknowledged that inadequate preparations contributed to the chaos. He described the situation as alarming but said efforts are underway to stabilise crowd movement.
A letter has been sent to the Chief Police Officer seeking stricter control of pilgrim inflow to Pampa. Seven additional spot-booking counters will be opened at Nilakkal to reduce congestion. Jayakumar said queue complexes at Marakkoottam and Sharamkuthi would also be utilised more effectively.
Chaos at Sannidhanam as Barricades Collapse
The situation at Sannidhanam remains volatile. Heavy crowd pressure led to pilgrims breaking through the barricade in front of the Pathinettam Padi on Tuesday.
Many devotees were forced to return without getting darshan. Several pilgrims who reached Pampa instead proceeded to the Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Temple, offered neyyabhishekam, removed their malas, and returned home. Groups from Bengaluru and Salem also waited for hours before giving up.
With KSRTC buses unable to accommodate the crowd and no barricade system at Nilakkal, congestion continues to spiral. Reduced police deployment and the absence of central forces have compounded the crisis, leaving thousands of devotees stranded and frustrated