Kochi: The High Court has explored the possibility of increasing the darshan time at Sabarimala in view of the large number of pilgrims. The Travancore Devaswom Board should consider whether the temple can be opened for one more hour in consultation with Tantri. The Devaswom Board and the district administration should take steps to ensure darshan for all who come to Sabarimala. Not one of the devotees should return without getting darshan.
Justice Anil K held a special sitting on Sunday as the number of pilgrims exceeds one lakh every day. Narendran, Justice P. G. A division bench comprising Ajith Kumar considered this matter. At present, the court is opening for 18 hours. 80 pilgrims per minute can climb the 18th step. That is, 4,800 people per hour, 86,400 people in 18 hours.
It is in this situation that the possibility of extension of time was sought. At the same time, according to the police, only 65 people can climb the 18th step per minute. If the number of children, the physically challenged, the elderly and women increase, it falls below 65. That is why the police claim that the wait is getting longer. The case will be heard again today.
Half an hour has been added since Friday
Due to the rush, the closing time of the temple has been extended by half an hour from Friday night. The idea is whether it is possible to increase the darshan time. Now the temple is open from 3 am to 11 pm. It has been made from Friday to 11.30.
85,000 people are enough: Police report
Sabarimala ∙ In order to reduce the crowding of Sannidhanam, the police should limit the maximum number of pilgrims who can visit in a day to 85,000. The report prepared by the Sannidhanam police in this regard was given to the ADGP. There is currently no restriction on the number of pilgrims who can arrive daily.
On the days when VirtualQ booking is above 100,000 people have to wait for more than 13 hours to get on the 18th floor. Earlier VirtualQ booking was under the complete control of the police. It is now under the Devaswom Board following the intervention of the High Court. Busy days are known in advance through VirtualQ. Yet there are allegations that the police have failed to make special arrangements.
Chief Minister called a meeting today at 11
Thiruvananthapuram ∙ Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called a high-level meeting to assess the situation in the situation of huge crowd at Sabarimala. Minister K. Radhakrishnan informed that in the meeting to be held at 11 am today in the chamber of the legislative building, changing the darshan time and making more arrangements will be discussed.