Effective pilgrimage management requires structured, expert-driven planning and coordination across multiple agencies to ensure safety and welfare.

ORDER

Raja Vijayaraghavan V, J.

The instant report was filed by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner with regard to crowd management during the Mandala–Makaravilakku Season2025–2026.

2. When the matter came up for consideration on 19.11.2025, this Court noted certain vital aspects concerning the administration, management, and implementation of various measures required to ensure a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage. Among other things, it was observed that:

a) Despite earnest and s ustained efforts to regulate the number of pilgrims reaching Sannidhanam on any given day, the total number on certain days exceeded 1,10,000, which was far beyond the carrying capacity of the hill shrine situated in the midst of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

b) The number of pilgrims availing the Kananapatha route to reach Sannidhanam was also found to be considerably high and requires appropriate regulation.

c) Despite fixing a cap through the Virtual Q Booking system and spot booking, a large number of pilgrims reach Sannidhanam without any prior booking, compelling the police to permit their onward movement towards Sannidhanam.

d) There exist issues regarding the availability and distribution of drinking water and snacks to pilgrims at Sannidhanam.

e) The number of toilets and washrooms presently available is grossly inadequate when compared to the volume of pilgrims. Though daily workers are engaged through contractors to clean these facilities, their condition remains deplorable. There must be an adequate number of trained personnel to maintain the toilets in a state of proper hygiene and cleanliness at all times.

f) There is a requirement to establish a prepaid counter system for dolly services. It must also be ensured that the condition of the dollies is periodically inspected and that a proper database is maintained to regulate dolly operators. This is necessary to prevent exploitation of aged, sick, and disabled devotees who are compelled to avail s uch services. This Court had opined that the Board shall take all necessary steps to streamline and regulate the functioning of dolly services.

3. This Court further noted that, in view of the alarming surge in pilgrim inflow, the infrastructural and ecological constraints inherent to the region, and the recurring challenges in crowd regulation, temporary and reactive measures are wholly inadequate to meet the realities of a pilgrimage of this magnitude. Sannidhanam, where more than fifty lakh devotees annually seek solace and spiritual rejuvenation, is situated within the ecologically fragile Periyar Tiger Reserve, where forest conservation is of paramount importance. In such a setting, pilgrimage management cannot be treated as a seasonal administrative exercise. It must be approached through scientific, professional, and year-round planning. The safety, dignity, and welfare of pilgrims must remain the foremost priority. No devotee should be subjected to unreasonable waiting periods without adequate shade, drinking water, sanitation, medical aid, or rest facilities. Simultaneously, all planning must strictly conform to ecological sensitivities, statutory mandates, and conservation norms governing the Reserve.

4. The materials placed before this Court revealed that decision-making is frequently uncoordinated and that the burden of managing an enormously complex p ilgrimage is being placed almost entirely upon the Devaswom Board. Decision-making must shift from fragmented and crisis-driven responses to structured, data-driven, engineering-based planning supported by continuous monitoring, transparency, accountability, and systematic feedback from devotees. Neither the Travancore Devaswom Board nor the police,