Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India]: The Government of Kerala (GoK) has approved a comprehensive development plan for the Sabarimala pilgrimage site, including Pampa and the trek route, as part of a larger master plan. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the initiative on Thursday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring safety, streamlining pilgrim movement, and elevating Sabarimala as a global heritage hub.
Chief Minister Vijayan shared the update on his official X handle, stating, “GoK has approved the layout plan for Sabarimala, Pampa, and the trek route developed in line with the Sabarimala master plan. With an estimate of ₹778.17 crore, the blueprint envisages dividing the area into 8 zones to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage for the devotees during the season.”
The post further read, “This layout plan underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to developing Sabarimala into a global heritage hub.”
Measures for Makaravilakku Festival
To prevent overcrowding during the Makaravilakku festival, authorities have decided to limit spot booking at Sannidhanam to 5,000 devotees per day from January 8-15. The Kerala High Court directed this decision to improve crowd management during the festival season.
Virtual queue bookings through the Devaswom board website have been capped as follows:
- January 12: 60,000 bookings
- January 13: 50,000 bookings
- January 14: 40,000 bookings
Devotees are advised against camping on the hillock, especially on Makara Jyoti Day (January 14), when a large number of pilgrims typically gather to witness the sacred light. Preparations are underway to manage potential crowds on Makaravilakku day, with police inspections at Nilakkal before allowing entry to Pampa.
Safety and Security Measures
The police are tasked with implementing strict guidelines to control cooking and other activities by devotees in the Parnasalas. Enhanced safety measures are being undertaken along procession routes and designated Jyoti Darshan areas.
Record Pilgrim Numbers
A record-breaking 39,02,610 Ayyappa devotees visited the shrine from November 15, 2024, to January 5, 2025. This marks a significant increase from last year’s 35,12,691 devotees during the same period. Since the start of the Makaravilakku season on December 30, over 6,22,849 devotees have already visited the shrine.
The government’s efforts in ensuring smooth and safe pilgrim experiences have been widely acknowledged, with the surge in pilgrim numbers serving as a testament to the success of the measures in place.