Kerala High Court Raises Concerns Over VIP Access at Sabarimala Temple for Actor Dileep

Kochi, Dec 6 (NationPress) Upon discovering that there were disruptions at the Sabarimala temple due to the special treatment accorded to actor Dileep during his visit, the Kerala High Court instructed the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) to ensure that occurrences of 'VIP Darshan' that obstruct pilgrims do not happen at the renowned shrine amid the current festival season.

Dileep performed his darshan at the temple on Thursday.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice S. Muralee Krishna remarked: "It is fitting to mandate the TDB to implement necessary measures to prevent such incidents that obstruct the proper darshan of pilgrims, including vulnerable groups such as young children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, from occurring at the Sopanam of Sabarimala during the festival season."

The court's decision followed reports of overcrowding and hindrance to pilgrims, where the actor's presence at a prominent location during the rituals led to chaos among worshippers.

The court also indicated it might initiate contempt proceedings against officials who grant special access to celebrities and other VIPs contrary to the court's directives on crowd management.

Additionally, the court mentioned it would consider adding these celebrities, who impede pilgrims' access, as further respondents in the ongoing case.

TDB President P.S. Prasanth confirmed that instructions have been issued to ensure the necessary CCTV footage is submitted to the court, promising that action would be taken if any breaches occur.

The two-month festival season at the temple commenced on November 16, allowing 70,000 pilgrims daily access through an online booking system to manage the crowds.

Located within the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an elevation of 3,000 feet, the Sabarimala temple is situated four kilometers uphill from Pamba in the Pathanamthitta district, approximately 100 kilometers from the state capital.

This temple restricts entry to women who have reached puberty and can only be accessed on foot from the banks of the Pamba River.

Traditionally, before embarking on the pilgrimage to the sacred shrine, each pilgrim undertakes a rigorous 41-day penance involving abstaining from footwear, wearing a black dhoti, and adhering to a strictly vegetarian diet.

Every pilgrim carries an ‘irumudi’ on their head, a prayer kit containing coconuts, which are ceremonially broken right before ascending the 18 sacred steps.

Without this offering, pilgrims are prohibited from stepping onto the revered 18 steps at the ‘Sannidhanam’.