In a significant move to regulate the massive influx of devotees, the Kerala High Court has imposed strict limits on the number of pilgrims allowed for the sacred Makara Vilakku festival at the Sabarimala temple. The court has specifically capped the total number of Virtual-Q bookings for darshan on January 14, the main Makara Vilakku day, at 30,000.
Court's Directive on Pilgrim Management
A bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar issued these directives after reviewing a report from the Sabarimala special commissioner. The bench clarified that the earlier daily cap of 75,000 Virtual-Q bookings will remain in effect until January 12. For the crucial day of January 14, the court has allocated only 5,000 spots for on-the-spot bookings, in addition to the 30,000 Virtual-Q slots.
The court has also mandated strict cut-off times for pilgrim movement on Makara Vilakku day. No pilgrim will be allowed to travel from Nilakkal to Pamba after 10 am. Furthermore, no devotee can proceed from Pamba to Sannidhanam after 11 am. These restrictions are essential because entry to the Sannidhanam area must be regulated and stopped by 12 noon. This allows time for the Sopanam area to be cleaned in preparation for the arrival of the sacred Thiruvabharanam procession at the Pathinettampadi and to facilitate the darshan of the Makara Vilakku and Makara Jyothi.
Entry Limits via Forest Paths
The High Court's order also details specific quotas for pilgrims using traditional forest routes. On the day of Makara Vilakku and the day before it:
- Entry through Sathram and Pulmedu is limited to 1,500 pilgrims.
- Entry via the Erumeli path is restricted to 1,000 pilgrims.
For the Pulmedu route, law enforcement has been directed to ensure that only pilgrims with a valid Virtual-Q or spot booking pass are allowed to remain, with the total not exceeding the 5,000 limit for spot bookings. The order is unequivocal: No pilgrim without a valid booking pass shall be permitted entry.
Strict Enforcement and Pilgrim Amenities
Forest officials have received explicit instructions to prevent anyone from entering via the forest path from Appachimedu to the Bailey Bridge path. The court has emphasized that law enforcement authorities must strictly enforce all these regulations to ensure order and safety.
Simultaneously, recognizing the needs of the devotees, the bench directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to make comprehensive arrangements. The board must provide adequate drinking water, refreshments, and annadanam (free food) for all pilgrims during the festival days.
This comprehensive order by the Kerala High Court aims to balance the spiritual fervor of the Makara Vilakku festival with the imperative of crowd management, safety, and the sanctity of the rituals at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa.
