Sannidhanam: Devaswom Board decided to extend darshan time at Sabarimala. The darshan time will be increased by half an hour each in the morning and evening. With this, the darshan time will increase from 18 hours to 19 hours.
At present the darshan hours are from 3 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 11 pm. This will increase till 1.30 pm and 11.30 pm. Harivarasanam will be sung at 11.20 pm.
The High Court Devaswom Bench today asked the Devaswom Board whether it is possible to increase the darshan time in view of the increased number of pilgrims at Sabarimala. Then Tantri Kantarar Rajivara and Devaswom Board President K. Anantha Gopan and Executive Officer H. Krishnakumar also consulted. Then it was decided to increase the time.
A huge increase in the number of devotees visiting Sabarimala was reported despite the adverse weather conditions. On Saturday alone, 94,369 pilgrims visited the shrine through online booking and 15,000 through spot booking. On Friday, long queues of pilgrims were formed from Papanthal to Saramkuthi.
With the increase in traffic, the police have imposed strict restrictions from Pampa to Sannidhanam. Pilgrims who walk from Pampa take about 10 hours to reach Sannidhanam. Heavy rains at night also attract many pilgrims who climb the hill. More pilgrims are also coming through Pullumedu-satram. On Friday alone, 7281 people reached Sannidhanam through this route.