Pathanamthitta: The pilgrim turnout at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple has crossed 25 lakh in the ongoing annual Mandalam pilgrimage season, a senior official said on Monday.

ADGP S Sreejith, Chief Police Coordinator for Sabarimala, noted that despite a significant rise in devotees compared to last year, darshan at the hill shrine continues smoothly, thanks to meticulous planning and arrangements. Around 21 lakh devotees had visited the shrine by this time in the previous year.

While heavy crowding was reported during the initial days of the season, timely interventions helped manage congestion. Officials said that temporary crowding was largely caused by pilgrims arriving on dates different from those specified in their virtual queue passes. Sreejith emphasised that adherence to allotted dates ensures sufficient time for darshan for all devotees.

Crowd levels are reportedly lower on weekends, with working days witnessing a higher influx. The rush is expected to intensify towards the end of December. Comprehensive arrangements, including security, crowd management, and logistical support, are in place to handle the anticipated increase in footfall.

The Mandala pooja, marking the culmination of the first leg of the nearly two-month-long pilgrimage season, is scheduled for December 27 at Sabarimala.

PTI