Kerala’s Temple Affairs Minister, VN Vasavan, reaffirmed the government’s stance against allowing spot bookings for the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage, emphasizing the introduction of Akshaya centers to facilitate virtual queue bookings for pilgrims. This decision comes amid growing protests from Hindu organizations and opposition parties, including Congress, who argue that spot bookings are necessary to assist less tech-savvy pilgrims.
The Sabarimala pilgrimage season, which runs from mid-November to mid-January, has previously faced criticism due to inadequate facilities, such as drinking water, food, and toilets, particularly during the peak periods of last year when the daily pilgrim count exceeded 90,000, with some days exceeding 100,000. To address these issues, the government plans to limit the daily number of pilgrims to 80,000 this season to ensure a more comfortable experience.
Minister Vasavan emphasized that all pilgrims, especially those carrying the “irumudikettu” (the travel kit containing offerings), would be able to perform their prayers without unnecessary controversy. The Akshaya centers, which will be established in key halting areas such as Ettumanoor, Erumely, Kadappattoor, and Chengannur, aim to enhance the safety and organization of the pilgrimage, allowing better tracking of pilgrims and quicker responses in case of emergencies.
Despite the government’s efforts to improve the pilgrimage experience, various Hindu groups have announced plans for a significant protest on October 26 in Pandalam, arguing that the lack of spot booking could create challenges for inter-state pilgrims who are unfamiliar with the online system. These developments underscore the tension between government policy and community sentiments regarding the management of the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
