Sabarimala Yatra Mismanagement: HC Steps In

Introduction

The Kerala High Court has strongly reprimanded the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for its inadequate management of the massive influx of devotees at the Sabarimala temple. The court has directed the board to take immediate corrective actions, focusing on accommodation, sanitation, drinking water, and overall crowd management. TDB Chairman K. Jayakumar, appointed following the court’s directives, acknowledged delays in preparations. The court’s primary concern was the chaos caused by the record number of pilgrims visiting the temple.

Unprecedented Devotee Influx

The bench noted that the situation had escalated rapidly as nearly 200,000 devotees arrived within the first 48 hours of the temple opening on November 16 for the annual Mandal-Makaravilakku Yatra.

Court Observations on the Situation

Hours of Waiting

Petitioners highlighted that devotees were forced to stand in long queues without access to food or drinking water. The court remarked that crowd management, particularly at the sacred 18 steps, was poorly executed.

Coordination Failures

The bench pointed out that the massive rush was largely due to inadequate coordination among officials from the TDB, police, and other departments responsible for managing the yatra.

Precautionary Measures Questioned

The court questioned why crucial arrangements were not completed well in advance. It emphasized that allowing such a large number of devotees into the temple at once was highly problematic.

TDB Chairman Admits Shortcomings

Speaking to local media, K. Jayakumar admitted that preparations should have begun six months prior. He cited two reasons for the chaos: previous council decisions were not implemented, and the sudden surge of devotees in the first two days was unexpected. Despite the setbacks, Jayakumar assured that no devotee would be denied darshan.

Court Directives to Improve Yatra Management

Crowd Control

The High Court recommended dividing devotees into sections and allowing entry in phases, rather than permitting everyone to enter simultaneously.

Sanitation Measures

The court ordered additional eco-friendly bio-toilets along the route from Nilakkal to Sannidhanam, each with a dedicated attendant to maintain hygiene.

Online Room Reservation

Out of 423 rooms available at Sannidhanam, 200 should be reserved exclusively for online bookings to ensure transparency and fairness.

Drinking Water Supply

Authorities were instructed to ensure safe and uninterrupted drinking water supply for devotees at Sannidhanam, Pamba, and along the walking paths.

Political Reactions

Opposition leader VD Satheesan criticized the state government and TDB for failing to make necessary preparations. He highlighted that devotees had to wait 10–15 hours in queues without drinking water or toilet facilities, accusing the authorities of deliberately neglecting essential arrangements.

Conclusion

The Kerala High Court’s strict directives aim to prevent further mismanagement and ensure the safety and comfort of devotees visiting Sabarimala. The TDB has been tasked with implementing these measures immediately, marking a crucial step toward organized and efficient pilgrimage management.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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