Over 12,000 Pilgrims Arrive via Karimala Forest Path in a Day
Sabarimala: A total of 12,080 pilgrims reached Sabarimala yesterday through the forest route via Karimala. According to estimates by the Police and Forest Department, nearly 40 per cent of pilgrims have been arriving on foot through the forest path since the temple was opened after the Makaravilakku festival.
The increasing flow of pilgrims through the forest route has created serious challenges in crowd management, with police assessments proving inadequate. The distance from Erumeli to Pampa via Karimala is 33 kilometres. Due to steep climbs and narrow footpaths, many pilgrims are unable to reach Pampa within the expected time.
Most pilgrims are arriving four to eight hours behind schedule, making it difficult for them to report at Pampa at the time allotted under the virtual queue system. Since pilgrims carrying the traditional Irumudi cannot be turned back, all such devotees are being allowed to proceed for darshan. This has led to a significant increase in congestion at the holy 18 steps.
The situation has also led to criticism from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, who alleged that the police were deliberately creating congestion at the shrine.
Yesterday, the queue of pilgrims waiting to climb the 18 steps extended up to below Appachimedu. As a result, pilgrims were held back at Pampa, and in some cases, devotees had to wait up to 14 hours to climb the steps. Although the crowd has reduced slightly compared to the previous day, the situation has not improved significantly.
Gavi Travel Restricted
Seethathode: As part of security arrangements for the Sabarimala Makaravilakku festival, tourist travel to Gavi via the Angamoozhi–Kochandi check post will be restricted from the 12th to the 15th, Gudrikal Range Officer A.S. Ashok said.