The Kerala high court has slammed the Travancore Devaswom Board for inadequate crowd control at the Sabarimala temple. It ordered enhancements to facilities for pilgrims during the ongoing season. This comes amid rising devotee numbers at the hill shrine.
The Kerala high court expressed strong disapproval of the Travancore Devaswom Board's handling of crowds at the Sabarimala temple, a major pilgrimage site in the Western Ghats. In a recent hearing, the court highlighted deficiencies in crowd management, which have led to challenges for devotees accessing the Ayyappa shrine.
The ruling mandates immediate improvements in infrastructure and services to better accommodate pilgrims. This includes better queuing systems, sanitation, and medical facilities, especially as the temple gears up for the peak Mandala-Makaravilakku season starting in November.
Sabarimala, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, attracts millions annually, with this year's pilgrimage already underway. The Travancore Devaswom Board, responsible for temple administration, has faced scrutiny over past incidents of overcrowding and safety lapses. The court's intervention aims to ensure smoother darshan experiences and prevent potential mishaps.
No specific timeline for implementation was detailed in the order, but authorities are expected to comply promptly. This development underscores ongoing efforts to balance tradition with modern crowd control in one of India's most revered religious sites.