Kerala CM Takes Action As Sabarimala Pilgrims Face Hardships, Calls For All-Party Meet

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for a high-level meeting in response to reports of severe hardships faced by Sabarimala pilgrims enduring queues of over ten hours. While on a tour in Idukki for the Nava Kerala Sadas, the chief minister will attend the meeting virtually, joined by Devswom Minister K Radhakrishnan.

All department heads and officials have been directed to participate in this crucial meeting. The State Police Chief, Chief Secretary, and President of the Travancore Devaswom Board will also be in attendance.

The meeting comes amid reports of inadequate coordination between the Devaswom Board and the police department regarding crowd management and pilgrim facilities. Despite an extended darshan time, pilgrims still encountered lengthy queues, with Monday witnessing similar delays in reaching Sannidhanam.

To address these challenges, the government has extended the Lord Ayyappa shrine's darshan time at Sabarimala by an additional hour during the pilgrimage season. This decision, immediately put into effect, now opens the temple's gates at 3 pm daily. The Devaswom Board officials have ensured a smoother darshan experience by extending the hours, allowing pilgrims an 18-hour window for darshan each day, a move supported by the Thanthri.