- Sabarimala Temple opens for the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage, beginning November 16.
- Over 70,000 devotees can book darshan daily through a virtual queue system.
- A localized weather forecasting system is introduced to address environmental challenges.
The Sabarimala Temple, one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in Kerala, opened its doors on Friday evening to mark the start of the 41-day Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage.
This annual event, celebrated during the Malayalam month of Vrichikam, draws thousands of devotees who trek up to the hill shrine in a show of devotion to Lord Ayyappa.
Govt Implements Virtual Queue and Weather Measures for Smooth Sabarimala Pilgrimage
In preparation for the busy pilgrimage season, the Kerala government has introduced a virtual queue system to streamline the number of devotees visiting the Sabarimala temple. The new system will accommodate up to 70,000 devotees per day, with 10,000 additional slots available through on-site counters. This effort aims to reduce long waits and improve crowd management.
The government has also taken steps to address potential weather-related disruptions. A localized weather forecasting system has been set up by the India Meteorological Department to provide more accurate and timely weather predictions. This system is crucial, as the temple’s hilltop location makes it susceptible to unpredictable weather, particularly during the monsoon and winter months.
The pilgrimage will continue for over a month, culminating in the Makaravilakku festival. During this time, the temple attracts millions of pilgrims, many of whom follow a strict set of rituals, including a symbolic 41-day austerity period. The peak of the pilgrimage season is expected to coincide with the Makaravilakku on January 14, when the temple experiences its highest number of visitors.
Local authorities, including the Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan and the Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prashanth, are closely monitoring the arrangements to ensure the safety of pilgrims. With careful planning and new systems in place, the hope is to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage season.
With effective crowd management and new technological measures in place, the Sabarimala pilgrimage is set to be a safe and spiritually enriching experience for devotees, ensuring that the traditions continue to thrive.
“Faithful devotion requires both patience and preparation.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Sabarimala pilgrimage,
