Surge in Pilgrims Marks First Phase of Sabarimala Pilgrimage with Four Lakh Increase

Sabarimala (Kerala), Dec 26 (NationPress) There has been an unprecedented influx of pilgrims at Kerala's Sabarimala temple, where the initial phase of the two-month-long 2024-25 pilgrimage concludes on Thursday.

In comparison to the first phase of the 2023-24 festival season, this year saw an increase of 4,07,309 pilgrims, bringing the total to 32,49,756, up from 28,42,447 in 2023-24.

The pilgrimage season spans two phases, with the first phase commencing on November 16 and concluding on Thursday evening (December 26).

The second phase is set to begin on December 30, with the most significant day of the pilgrimage occurring on January 14, followed by a closure after a few days.

This year, temple authorities have opted to limit the number of pilgrims permitted to have darshan each day to 70,000, which includes 60,000 who must book online and 10,000 who can secure spot bookings.

To effectively manage the large crowds, the temple's operating hours have been adjusted; it opens daily at 3 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m., then reopens at 3 p.m. and closes again at 11 p.m.

Located at an altitude of 914 metres in the Western Ghats, Sabarimala temple is situated four kilometres uphill from Pamba in the Pathanamthitta district, approximately 100 km from the state capital.

The temple restricts entry to women who have reached puberty and is accessible only by foot from the Pamba River. Traditionally, before embarking on the journey to the sacred shrine, a pilgrim undertakes a rigorous 41-day penance, which includes abstaining from footwear, wearing a black dhoti, and adhering to a strict vegetarian diet. Every pilgrim carries an 'Irumudi', a prayer kit containing coconuts that are broken just before ascending the 18 steps, and without it, no one is allowed to step onto the holy steps at the 'Sannidhanam'.

This season, nearly 14,000 police officials, along with volunteers, are deployed for security and to assist the pilgrims.

The parking capacity for pilgrims has now expanded to 10,000 slots, and rate cards in various South Indian languages are displayed at restaurants in the temple town. Additionally, healthcare facilities in the vicinity are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities for the pilgrims.

To enhance the pilgrimage experience, authorities have launched a multilingual microsite (https://www.keralatourism.org/sabarimala/) this season, providing pilgrims nationwide with information about the hill shrine's traditions, customs, and culture, as well as the latest updates and geographical insights.

The site is available in five languages: English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. It includes short videos that detail one of southern India's prominent pilgrimage sites.

Furthermore, the microsite provides information about other notable temples near Sabarimala, a detailed route map, accommodations, and a dedicated gallery featuring hundreds of pictures related to Sabarimala.

It also offers a comprehensive pilgrim guide detailing the customs, traditions, and history of the temple.