Kottayam: After much debate and discussions, the Kerala government has agreed to reinstate the spot booking system for pilgrims visiting Sabarimala temple. 

The government will permit 10,000 devotees daily through spot booking alongside the existing virtual queue limit of 70,000 pilgrims. This brings the total number of pilgrims allowed to visit the shrine daily to 80,000.

Registration for spot booking will be facilitated at key entry points including Pampa, Erumeli, and Peerumedu, with identity verification required through documents such as Aadhaar cards.

Earlier, UDF and the BJP came out strongly against the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) and the LDF government's decision that there will be no spot booking for darshan available for pilgrims during the two-month-long festival season at the Sabarimala temple. 

State BJP President K.Surendran termed the decision not to allow spot booking "a calculated move to put the pilgrims into difficulties and a ploy to destroy the famed temple".

Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said the decision that there will be no spot booking for pilgrims has to be withdrawn as it is not a practical decision.

However, TDB President P.S. Prasanth said things will be worked out in such a manner that not a single pilgrim who arrives will have to go back disappointed. Following this, the government has finally decided to allow limited spot booking at the temple. 

Rs 5 lakh insurance, medical treatment, and more: Extensive facilities announced for Sabarimala season

Speaking at press conference on Saturday, Minister V.N. Vasavan announced facilities for pilgrims at the hill shrine. The government has also introduced a comprehensive insurance scheme, providing Rs 5 lakh coverage for all pilgrims. In the event of a death, arrangements will be made to repatriate the deceased’s body. 

To ensure safety, 1,000 Vishudhi Sena personnel will be trained and deployed, alongside 13,600 police officers, many of whom have prior experience working in Sabarimala. Additional services will include snake catchers, 2,500 'Aapda Mitra' volunteers as part of the Fire Safety Department, and scuba teams for emergencies.

The water authority will ensure drinking water is available at key locations, and the Irrigation Department will construct safety fences at river fronts in Chengannur, Erumeli, and Pampa. 

Furthermore, warning boards in multiple languages will be installed in key locations in Sabarimala. The health department will provide extensive medical services at Nilakkal, Sannidhanam, Kottayam Medical College, Pathanamthitta General Hospital, and Kanjirapally General Hospital. Additionally, treatment facilities for injuries, including antivenom for snake bites, will be arranged. Around a hundred expert doctors under the "Devotees of Doctors" initiative have also extended their support to provide medical treatments. 

The two-month-long Sabarimala pilgrimage season will start in mid-November.