‘Face App’ for Guruvayur darshan to be implemented soon; agencies line up with proposals

Guruvayur: A digital system called the “Face App” will soon be implemented at the Guruvayur Temple to enable smooth and hassle-free darshan. The system is expected to bring a complete change to the current situation where devotees have to stand in queues for hours. Several agencies have already approached the Guruvayur Devaswom with proposals; four companies contacted the authorities on Monday itself. Administrator OB Arun Kumar said the agencies would be invited shortly to present demonstrations of the system before the Devaswom Managing Committee.

What is Face App?

Face App counters will be set up at various locations on the temple premises. When a devotee shows their face to a scanner, the system will identify the person and issue a token that includes the darshan time. The waiting area for devotees will be divided into 12 compartments—the first for devotees numbered 1 to 200, the second for those from 200 to 400, and so on. Token numbers issued to devotees will be displayed in the respective compartments, and entry will be allowed strictly according to these numbers. The system will also provide accurate data on the number of devotees who have had darshan. Since individuals can be identified, security arrangements will also be strengthened. The police have extended strong support to the initiative.

30,000 devotees a day

On a normal day, around 30,000 devotees visit the temple for darshan. On holidays, the number rises to between 50,000 and 60,000. The Choroonu offering averages between 500 and 700 a day. On special occasions such as Ekadasi, festivals and Ashtami Rohini, the number of devotees coming for darshan can go up to around 1 lakh a day. Weddings number between 40 and 50 on ordinary days. During the Malayalam months of Chingam, Makaram and Medam, about 100 weddings take place daily, while on Sundays in these months the figure rises to between 100 and 150. Last year, as many as 350 weddings were conducted on a single day in Chingam. As many as 250 weddings have been scheduled for February 8.