TDB To Issue Tags For Pilgrims Taking Forest Routes To Sabarimala

TDB earned revenue of ₹163 crore in 29 days during the 'Mandala Makaravilakku' pilgrimage season. The number of devotees increased by nearly four lakh.

Pathanamthitta: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P S Prashanth announced on Monday that special arrangements for darshan will soon be made for pilgrims travelling long distances on foot through the traditional forest routes of Pullumedu and Erumeli to reach the Sabarimala Temple.

He mentioned that a special tag would be provided in collaboration with the forest department to pilgrims taking these routes. Pilgrims can also reach the shrine from Pampa via Swami Ayyappan Road and those willing to take the Neelimala route can also reach the pilgrimage site.

Additionally, these pilgrims will have the option to enter the shrine via Chandranandan Road, bypassing the Saramkuthi route at Marakkottam.

"There will be a special queue for pilgrims. Those coming through these designated forest routes from Pullumedu and Erumeli will receive special tags and can use a dedicated queue at the temple for darshan. Pilgrims can have darshan through this queue. This new system is being implemented in collaboration with the forest department which will be responsible for issuing special tags to pilgrims," Prashanth said, adding that the new system will be implemented soon.

Prashanth said in a press conference on December 15 that the Sabarimala temple earned revenue of ₹163 crore in 29 days during the 'Mandala Makaravilakku' pilgrimage season. The number of devotees visiting Sabarimala during the first month of this year's pilgrimage season has increased by nearly four lakh compared to last year. A total of 22.7 lakh devotees visited the temple so far, while last year, the figure was 18.2 lakh.

Speaking to reporters, he praised the arrangements made at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam for the Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival, stating that they are adequate to ensure a comfortable darshan for devotees. He added that the facilities provided by the government and the Devaswom Board are commendable.

Thousands of pilgrims, mostly from South Indian states, visit the famous Sabarimala temple to pay obeisance to Lord Ayyappa, the doors of which were opened on November 16. The two-month-long pilgrimage to the hill shrine will conclude with the Marakaravilakku on January 14, 2025.