The system has elicited mixed reactions; some people are optimistic, believing it will streamline the pilgrimage process and make it more organised while others are concerned about how this change might impact their access to the temple and the overall experience.
Published Oct 11, 2024 | 11:08 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 11, 2024 | 11:08 AM
The introduction of a fully e-booking system for devotees at Sabarimala, has sparked a controversy, especially due to the complete elimination of the spot booking facility.
As November 15 dawns upon the hills of Sabarimala, a sea of pilgrims will flow towards the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple. Blessed by faith, the 18 hills of the Periyar Tiger Reserve will bustle with millions seeking a divine glimpse of the celibate Lord.
This sacred pilgrimage, known as the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, the two months of ritualistic vows, during which devotees traverse the rugged forest paths with their hearts full of prayers.
The air, heavy with chants and reverence, carries the spirit of centuries-old tradition. Devotees from all across South India partake in this sacred tradition.
While faith and devotion surrounding Sabarimala remain unwavering, the introduction of a fully e-booking system, the Virtual-Q, for devotees has stirred significant controversy, particularly the complete removal of the spot booking facility.
The Virtual-Q system is an online advance slot-booking service, available for pilgrims with irumudikettu — the two-chambered cloth pouch containing travel essentials and offerings to the temple — visiting the hill shrine during the Mandala and Makaravilakku puja seasons.
The system has elicited mixed reactions. Some are optimistic, believing it will streamline the pilgrimage process and make it more organised. In contrast, others are concerned about how this change might impact their access to the temple and the overall experience.
In the state Assembly session on Thursday, 10 October, Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan addressed concerns raised by Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan regarding the removal of spot booking for the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage at Sabarimala. Vasavan explained that the decision was aimed at ensuring a smoother pilgrimage experience.
The decision was made following an online meeting chaired by the chief minister, with the Devaswom minister, the Travancore Devaswom Board, the police, and the district administration.
It was concluded that limiting the number of pilgrims to 80,000 per day was necessary to maintain order and prevent overcrowding. The meeting also debated whether Virtual-Q booking alone would suffice or if spot booking should be retained.
Following the meeting, Minister Vasavan told South First, “In previous years, spot booking resulted in daily pilgrim numbers exceeding 80,000. It created difficulties in managing facilities and controlling the crowd, which disrupted the smoothness of the pilgrimage. After evaluating this, it was decided that only Virtual-Q booking would be allowed during the 2024-25 pilgrimage season.”
Last season, the first phase permitted 90,000 pilgrims via the Virtual-Q and 10,000 through spot booking. In the second phase, this was reduced to 80,000 and 10,000, and in the third phase, further reduced to 70,000 and 10,000, Vasavan said.
To enhance crowd management, pilgrims will now be required to provide details about their chosen pilgrimage route while booking through the Virtual-Q. A colour-coding system will be introduced to indicate fully booked slots.
The Virtual-Q software will be updated to streamline the booking process, and the number of pilgrims using the virtual system will be shared with the district administration and police in a standardised format for better coordination and control, he added.
During his submission at the Assembly, Satheesan pointed out that the government’s decision to allow only online booking for darshanam at Sabarimala could lead to significant problems for devotees, especially those coming from other states, who are unfamiliar with the online system.
He raised concerns that devotees who have undertaken the 41-day vow may have to return without darshanam due to difficulties in accessing online booking.
Satheesan emphasised the need for a system that accommodates those who arrive without prior online booking, highlighting the fact that until 2018, all devotees were able to get darshan.
He also warned that if adequate provisions such as food and basic facilities are not arranged for those halted at various locations, it could lead to dangerous situations.
The Opposition leader called for the reinstatement of the spot booking system to prevent any inconvenience or risk to the devotees.
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Sangam (SASS), a charitable trust dedicated to serving Ayyappa devotees on their pilgrimage to Sabarimala, expressed deep disappointment over the government’s decision regarding online booking for darshan.
Mohan K Nair, the State Committee Secretary of SASS, told South First: “Spot booking is essential for the smooth flow of pilgrims. The government has now set a cap of 80,000 devotees per day via online booking.”
“However, in reality, even if 80,000 slots are booked online, only about 60,000 pilgrims show up. Then there are travel agencies that manipulate the system by booking the maximum slots in advance.”
“As a result, many devotees cannot even access or book a slot for darshan. Alongside the Virtual-Q, at least 10,000 pilgrims should be accommodated through spot booking. In the previous year, many pilgrims who had booked through Virtual-Q didn’t even turn up,” he said.
He also highlighted that pilgrims from other states often face delays due to factors like train schedules, making the fully virtualised queue system impractical for Sabarimala.
Nair pointed out that Sabarimala is not comparable to Tirupati, as the arrangements there are more robust.
“In Tirupati, there are better amenities like food, water, and restrooms at the queue itself. Pilgrims there are not affected by sudden weather changes and are more systematic,” he said.
Nair recalled his visit to Sabarimala last year with a team of government officials to inspect facilities. He lamented that the situation was dismal due to the absence of around 600 Ayyappa Seva Sangam volunteers.
“In Sabarimala, vehicle access is limited to Pamba, and the remaining five kilometres must trek. Many pilgrims even choose the hardest 40-kilometer trekking route to adhere to the traditional system,” he said.
“In the past, our volunteers would be present along the trekking path with water, medical aid, and more. But now, the government hires contract staff for these roles. We did this work out of passion and dedication, not for money. Now, the government is trying to erase the presence of Ayyappa Seva Sangam from Sabarimala,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the lack of professionalism among the government-hired staff. “Our volunteers are mostly professionals —medical and engineering students from Tamil Nadu — who cooperate with us and even earn bonus points at universities for their voluntary service.”
“However, the contract staff often lack even the basic skills needed to handle emergencies, such as lifting a stretcher. I witnessed this firsthand. While oxygen cylinders are provided by the health department, there is a clear need for expertise in handling emergencies. Most of the contract employees lack that expertise,” Nair said.
Nair criticised the politicisation of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. “Over the past few years, politics has crept into Sabarimala even though this is not a place for political games. It is a sacred site where lakhs of devotees come with dedication and belief. The primary focus should be on ensuring their convenience,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, BJP State President K Surendran told South First that the saffron party would launch protests if the government’s decision to limit Sabarimala bookings to virtual slots was not reversed.
He raised concerns over a possible organised attempt to disrupt the annual pilgrimage, stating that the government had assured last year that lapses from the previous season would be addressed this time.
However, with just a month left before the pilgrimage begins, no steps have been taken to fix critical issues, including road repairs and essential facilities at Pampa and Nilackal, Surendran added.
Members of the Pandalam Palace, closely linked to the temple’s history and rituals, also expressed their opposition to the decision. They proposed a balanced solution, suggesting that 75 percent of the slots be made available through virtual booking, with the remaining allocated for spot bookings.
A former member of the Devaswom Board, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told South First that a lasting solution was urgently needed to address the ongoing Sabarimala controversy.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had centred its campaign in Kerala around the issue of women’s entry into the temple.
With a by-election soon to take place in Palakkad, the BJP is placing significant hope there since the party has deep-rooted support, similar to its strong base in Thrissur.
Kerala witnessed numerous protests related to Sabarimala in the past year, and this issue could become a political tool during elections.
“Beliefs should not be politicised, and an urgent solution is needed. If not, those seeking to exploit these controversies for political gain will prevail, while the core beliefs and sentiments of the devotees may be overlooked,’’ he added.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
