Record earnings and enhanced safety: TDB reports ₹210 crore revenue from Sabarimala season

Pathanamthitta: The Sabarimala pilgrimage season revenue has reached ₹210 crore so far, with ₹106 crore generated from aravana sales, marking a significant rise over previous years, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President K Jayakumar said on Wednesday.

Addressing the media after a review meeting with Devaswom officials, Jayakumar said the pilgrimage season has witnessed smooth darshan without major disruptions, attributing the outcome to improved planning and inter-agency coordination.

Makaravilakku review and safety measures

The Devaswom Minister, VN Vasavan, will chair a review meeting to assess preparations for the Makaravilakku festival, with special focus on devotee safety during Makara Jyoti darshan. Authorities have strengthened precautionary measures and advised pilgrims to avoid unsafe and overcrowded locations where large gatherings are expected.

Annadanam

Steps are being taken to address logistical challenges in providing annadanam (free meals). Efforts are underway to introduce traditional Kerala-style meals at Sabarimala from December 21, Jayakumar said.

Spot booking flexibility

On spot booking, the TDB president said there is no rigid policy, noting that the court has allowed flexibility. Decisions will be guided by devotee inflow, while the existing daily spot booking cap of 5,000 will continue for the time being.

Master plan and future projects

Preparations for next year’s Sabarimala pilgrimage have already begun. A detailed meeting on the Sabarimala master plan will be held at the Devaswom headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

Projects that can be completed within a year will be prioritised, while proposals planned for 2026–27 will also be reviewed. Jayakumar said funding will be mobilised through central government assistance, sponsorships and other sources.

Expansion of aravana production and use of technology

As part of the master plan, the TDB is considering the construction of an additional aravana plant, which could raise production capacity to four to five lakh units per day.

The board also plans to enhance crowd management at Sabarimala by deploying modern technology, including artificial intelligence and GPS-based systems, in line with court directives. A technical master plan is being prepared to ensure a safer and smoother pilgrimage experience for devotees.

PTI