A 140-member team led by Deputy Commander Biju Ram, a native of Kollam, assumed duty at Sannidhanam on Saturday, 22 November.
Published Nov 22, 2025 | 3:18 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 22, 2025 | 3:18 PM
Sabarimala
Synopsis: The contingent, drawn from the Coimbatore base of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), will be stationed at key points including Sannidhanam and Marakkoottam. The personnel will operate in three shifts, with 32 members in each shift to ensure round-the-clock vigilance.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has once again been deployed at Sabarimala to bolster security arrangements for the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
A 140-member team led by Deputy Commander Biju Ram, a native of Kollam, assumed duty at Sannidhanam on Saturday, 22 November.
The contingent, drawn from the Coimbatore base of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), will be stationed at key points including Sannidhanam and Marakkoottam. The personnel will operate in three shifts, with 32 members in each shift to ensure round-the-clock vigilance.
Additionally, a 10-member Quick Response Team will remain on 24-hour standby to handle emergencies.
Deputy Commander Biju Ram said the RAF’s primary responsibilities would be security management and crowd control, carried out in close coordination with the Kerala Police.
The team will remain deployed until the conclusion of the pilgrimage season.
Earlier this week, Sabarimala witnessed an extraordinary surge of pilgrims in the first days of the Mandala–Makaravilakku season, triggering long queues, delays in darshan, and concerns over crowd safety.
With nearly two lakh devotees reaching the hill shrine since its opening on 16 November, officials of both the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the police admitted that the turnout had far exceeded expectations, leading to chaotic scenes at Sannidhanam and Pampa.
TDB President K. Jayakumar, after reviewing the situation, described the second day’s rush as “dangerous” and unlike anything he had witnessed before.
At the police end, ADGP S. Sreejith, overseeing Sabarimala security, said more than one lakh pilgrims had arrived within the first two days alone.
The footfall on the opening day had almost doubled compared to last year’s figures.
“We cannot turn away those who have come without spot booking. But people must understand that once the Nilakkal quota is exhausted, darshan may happen only the next day,” he said.
The rush resulted in six- to seven-hour delays for devotees trekking from Pampa, with some collapsing due to lack of drinking water.
Since those who completed darshan could not exit due to the rush, the entry flow became further restricted.
Devotees entering through forest paths and non-designated routes added to the pressure, officials said.
Later, authorities have decided to limit spot bookings at Sabarimala to 20,000 pilgrims a day to manage the heavy rush.
Currently, over 30,000 devotees arrive through spot booking, making crowd control challenging. Those reaching after the daily cap will be allowed darshan the next day.
Seven new booking counters will soon open at Nilakkal, and entry to the Nadapanthal will be regulated based on crowd movement at Sannidhanam. Drinking water, snacks, and chukku kaapi are being arranged, while 200 extra staff have been deployed at the queue complex.
TDB president K. Jayakumar said another 200 workers will be appointed for toilet maintenance.
Currently, 70,000 pilgrims are allowed through the virtual queue and 20,000 through spot booking.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
