Spot booking halted in Pampa, Erumeli and Chengannur amid massive pilgrim rush in Sabarimala
Sabarimala, Kerala: The spot-booking facility at Pampa, Erumeli, and Chengannur has been temporarily suspended as authorities struggle to control the overwhelming influx of pilgrims.
As per media reports, the restriction will remain in force until November 24, with spot booking capped at 5,000 devotees. At present, booking is available only at Nilakkal and Vandiperiyar.
The decision comes in the wake of an unprecedented surge in pilgrim turnout during the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku season, with nearly two lakh pilgrims visiting Sabarimala within just 48 hours of the temple’s opening. Officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the police have been under severe pressure as they attempt to regulate the massive crowds, which include children and elderly devotees.
According to official data, 2,98,310 pilgrims had reached the hill shrine by 5 pm on November 19. Daily arrivals rose from 53,000 on November 16 to nearly 99,000 on November 17, before dropping to 81,000 on November 18 and 64,000 on November 19 (till 5 pm).
Long queues stretching from Pamba to Sannidhanam forced many devotees to wait for hours along the steep hill path as authorities continued efforts to manage the situation.