In a significant move to regulate pilgrim traffic and ensure safety, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has imposed a strict daily cap on the number of devotees allowed to trek through the scenic but arduous Pullumedu forest path in Kerala. The decision, prompted by a directive from the High Court, aims to address concerns arising from the route's growing popularity and inherent risks.
New Regulations for the Popular Pilgrim Route
The TDB announced that only 1,000 pilgrims per day will be permitted to access the Pullumedu path through spot booking at the Vandiperiyar Sathram. This restriction, however, comes with a crucial exemption. Pilgrims who have pre-registered via the official virtual queue system by selecting the Vandiperiyar-Pullumedu route are not subject to this daily limit. This distinction is designed to encourage advance planning and better crowd management.
The board cited the increasing number of pilgrims choosing this forest trail as the primary reason for the new rule. Officials noted that many are drawn to the route after seeing its stunning natural beauty showcased extensively on various social media platforms. While visually captivating, the path presents significant physical challenges.
Safety First: A Challenging Trek
The Pullumedu forest route is not just picturesque; it is a demanding 16-kilometer journey featuring steep climbs and descents. Given the terrain's difficulty, the TDB has issued a strong advisory. The board explicitly recommends that children and elderly devotees avoid this path as much as possible. Only individuals with full physical fitness should consider undertaking this trek.
This safety warning follows recent incidents where several pilgrims became stranded in the forest while traveling on the Pullumedu route. These individuals required rescue and were safely brought to Sannidhanam by teams led by the fire and rescue services. These events underscored the potential dangers of the trail, especially for those unprepared for its rigors.
Clarifying Misinformation on Special Passes
In its release, the TDB also moved to quash circulating rumors. The board categorically stated that reports claiming special passes for darshan are being issued to pilgrims arriving via the traditional Erumeli forest route are completely false. As of now, no such special passes are being provided to devotees on any route.
While there is an ongoing demand from various quarters to implement a formal pass system for better regulation, the TDB clarified that any final decision on this matter will be made strictly in accordance with the High Court's future directives. The current focus remains on managing the immediate crowd pressure on the Pullumedu path through the newly announced daily cap.
