Pathanamthitta: A massive surge of pilgrims at Sabarimala has led to severe crowding, during which a devotee collapsed and died. The deceased, Sati, 60, from Koyilandy in Kozhikode, collapsed at the Appachimedu area of the hill.

Pilgrims struggle as crowds surge

The rush for darshan has intensified, and police are struggling to manage the crowds. Many devotees are reported to be standing for long hours without access to food or water. Pilgrims said the queue now stretches from the Marakkoottam area. Authorities have stopped entry to the flyover from Pampa to the Ganapathy Temple. Devotees are being held for about 30 minutes at the Pampa Nadappanthal before being allowed to move forward. The court has permitted 90,000 pilgrims to have darshan at Sabarimala.

Sabarimala Police chief requests pilgrims to follow instructions

Sabarimala Police Chief S Sreejith said the existing crowd-management system is only partially functional and still being put into place. “People are getting diverted. Pilgrims can reach Marakkoottam without entering a queue. Entry from multiple gates is creating confusion, and devotees are not merging properly into the existing system. That is why the rush feels so heavy,” he said.

Sreejith added that devotees must follow the instructions issued by officers. “Spot booking and other procedures are functioning in accordance with the court’s directions. But we are all human, and we try to respect the emotions of the devotees. We can only advise them, we cannot force them,” he said.

With the heavy turnout, entry and exit from Pampa will continue to be regulated. On average, devotees waited around six hours for darshan yesterday.

Poor preparations blamed for severe congestion

The situation has worsened due to inadequate arrangements this season. The Sabarimala temple has remained closed during the initial days of the Mandala–Makaravilakku pilgrimage, and KSRTC transport and police coordination at Nilakkal have fallen out of sync. Pilgrims are unable to board KSRTC buses to Sannidhanam, contributing to congestion. The barricade system used in previous years at Nilakkal has also not been installed, which officials say is a major reason for the crowding.

There are reports that the number of police personnel deployed this year has been significantly reduced. The absence of central forces such as the NDRF and RAF, normally stationed at Sannidhanam and Pampa, has further aggravated the situation. Despite rising crowd levels, central forces have not been deployed. Although the state home department requested central support, the usual practice of deploying such forces from the beginning of the Mandala season has not been followed this time. Authorities are now being urged to take urgent measures to ensure pilgrims can board buses safely and to restore effective crowd control.

Devaswom Board flags alarming situation, says TDB President

Meanwhile, Travancore Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar said the crowding at Sabarimala was due to inadequate preparations. He said the situation was alarming but that efforts were underway to bring it under control. A letter has been sent to the Chief Police Officer requesting strict regulation of pilgrim arrivals to Pampa. In addition to the existing counter, seven more spot-booking counters will be opened in Nilakkal. He said the queue complexes at Marakkoottam and Sharamkuthi would be utilised more effectively.

Chaos continues at Sannidhanam, where a heavy rush has led pilgrims to break through the barricade in front of the pathinettam padi.

Many devotees returned without getting darshan. Several who came via Pampa proceeded to the Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Temple, performed neyyabhishekam, removed their garlands and returned home. Devotees from Bengaluru and Salem also waited for hours in Pampa before leaving.

With pilgrims still unable to board KSRTC buses to Sannidhanam, the situation remains critical. The absence of the Nilakkal barricade system and reduced police deployment, coupled with the lack of central forces, continues to contribute to the overcrowding.