Heavy rush ahead of Mandala Pooja

With the Mandala season entering the final phase, there was heavy rush in Sabarimala on Saturday.


The queue extended till Sabaripeedom and pilgrims had to wait for hours at various places while police tried to regulate crowds.
“We are bracing for a heavy rush in the coming days, as the Sannidhanam will observe Mandala Pooja on December 27,” said a senior police officer. “The arrival of pilgrims from other states will be more than expected.”


The police officer added that all precautions had been taken to control the rush. “We will try to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims to Sannidhanam from Pamba,” said the police officer.


Police has been requesting pilgrims to move at slow pace and also stop over at various places from Marakkoottam to Valiya Nadapanthal than speeding to next point with Irumudi and other heavy luggage.


“This speedy movement often causes accidents since there are children and aged people in the group,” he added.


The police and Seva Sangham volunteers are serving the pilgrims throughout the stretch. The ABASS team is also supplying drinking water to pilgrims.