Sabarimala Pilgrim Turnout Crosses 25 Lakh in Ongoing Mandalam Season

The annual Mandalam pilgrimage season at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple has witnessed a surge in devotees, with pilgrim turnout crossing 25 lakh so far, officials said on Monday.

According to ADGP S Sreejith , Chief Police Coordinator for Sabarimala, this represents a significant increase of around 4 lakh pilgrims (19%) compared to last year, when 21 lakh devotees had visited by the same date. While the current figures are higher than last year, they are not the highest ever recorded at the shrine .

Despite the larger crowds, darshan is proceeding smoothly, owing to well-planned arrangements and effective management. Early days of the season saw heavy congestion, which was promptly managed through timely interventions. Officials noted that temporary crowding occurred primarily because some pilgrims did not adhere to the dates specified in their virtual queue passes, emphasizing the importance of following the allotted schedule to ensure sufficient time for darshan for all devotees.

Crowd levels are generally lower on weekends, while working days experience higher footfall. With the season progressing, the rush is expected to intensify towards the end of December, and authorities have put in place comprehensive measures to ensure safe and orderly darshan for all visitors.

The Mandala pooja, scheduled for December 27, will mark the culmination of the first phase of the nearly two-month-long pilgrimage season. This phase does not signify the end of the pilgrimage, which continues until the Makaravilakku festival in mid-January, the grand finale that attracts devotees from across the country.

Officials have reiterated that all arrangements, including crowd management, security, and health facilities, are in place to handle the increasing footfall, ensuring a peaceful and smooth pilgrimage experience.