Devotees Suggest New System for Padi Pooja; Allow More Bookings for a Single Pooja
Devotees have suggested several practical reforms to improve access to Padipooja at Sabarimala Sree Ayyapp Swamy Temple. One key proposal is to permit multiple bookings for a single Padipooja, allowing more devotees to take part, similar to systems followed in major temples like Tirumala Sree Venkateswara Swamy Temple. At Tirumala, rituals such as Suprabhata Seva allow hundreds of devotees to participate at a time. Devotees say a similar model could be adopted at Sabarimala, where 10–20 or more people could be accommodated for one Padipooja. They also suggest limiting each booking to a maximum of 10 members with 5-10 bookings for per padi pooja, so more devotees get the opportunity to participate. This system could reduce the cost per devotee, make the ritual more affordable, and increase availability for those waiting to book. Such changes could help ensure that more pilgrims get a chance to take part in the sacred ritual while also improving overall booking management. However, conducting two Padi Poojas daily instead of one could lead to crowd management challenges during peak pilgrimage days.