Sabarimala Implements Emergency Crowd Control Measures
The sacred hill shrine of Sabarimala has been forced to implement stringent entry restrictions following an unprecedented influx of nearly two lakh devotees within just 48 hours of the temple opening for the annual mandala-makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The overwhelming crowd situation has prompted authorities to take immediate action to ensure pilgrim safety.
New Entry Restrictions and Safety Measures
In response to the critical crowding situation, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in coordination with police authorities announced on November 19, 2025 that daily entry would be strictly capped at one lakh devotees. Additionally, spot bookings have been reinstated to their original limit of 20,000 from Wednesday onward.
TDB president K Jayakumar expressed grave concerns about the situation, stating, "I have never seen such a massive and dangerous crowd on the temple grounds till now. It appears some people cut the line to jump in front. Even I am scared seeing the large crowd here."
Visual evidence from the site showed severe congestion at the sacred 18 steps and along the crucial Pamba-Sannidhanam route, with devotees experiencing extensive delays in movement through these areas.
Tragic Incidents Highlight Safety Concerns
The urgency of the situation was underscored by two separate incidents that occurred on Tuesday. A 58-year-old woman from Koyilandy collapsed and died while waiting in the darshan queue. TDB president Jayakumar confirmed that arrangements were being made to transport her body back home.
In a separate incident in Kottayam, a bus carrying 33 pilgrims from Karnataka overturned near Erumely while attempting to overtake another vehicle on a slope. Fortunately, only three passengers sustained minor injuries and were discharged after receiving medical treatment.
Administrative Response and Criticism
Additional Director General of Police S Sreejith identified that the crowd situation escalated significantly after 37,000 people sought spot entry, far exceeding the court-mandated cap of 20,000. The problem was compounded by virtual queue holders arriving on days other than their allotted schedules.
To address the sanitation crisis, the TDB brought in 200 additional sanitation workers from Tamil Nadu specifically to manage toilet facilities at the shrine.
However, the government and TDB faced sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, V D Satheesan, accused authorities of failing to provide basic facilities like drinking water to pilgrims and alleged inadequate police deployment. He dismissed the government's explanation about the model code of conduct hindering preparations as "ridiculous", emphasizing that arrangements should have been made much earlier.
Former Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan echoed similar allegations against the state government and TDB, highlighting the administrative challenges in managing the pilgrimage.
Health Advisory for Pilgrims
In a related development, the Karnataka Health Department issued a safety advisory to pilgrims following reports of Naegleria fowleri infections in Kerala. The advisory specifically recommends:
- Avoiding contact with stagnant water
- Using nose clips while bathing
- Seeking immediate medical attention for symptoms like fever, severe headache, vomiting, or confusion within seven days of water exposure
The situation at Sabarimala remains tense as authorities work to balance religious devotion with essential safety protocols during this peak pilgrimage season.
