Tension affects flow of TN pilgrims

“The closure of the check post on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border reduced the number of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu. The check post at Kumily, remained closed for several days and this has affected the entry of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu,” said ADGP P. Chandrashekeran.


The tension at border areas like Kumily, Cumbum and Theni has affected the flow of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu.


The number of Tamil Nadu registered vehicles in Pamba and at the parking lots at
Nilackal has fallen and this points to the fact that even pilgrims who used to trek through Kumily to reach Erumeli have not come despite the fact that the first half of the season is over.


The state police noted that a strong campaign about safety in Kerala is going on in Tamil Nadu especially in the border districts. The police will therefore take necessary steps to overcome the situation, Chandrashekeran added.


The tendency by Tamil Nadu pilgrims to postpone the trip will result in a huge rush in the coming days. Pilgrims coming through any route will be safe. The police is giving top priority to the security of the pilgrims coming to Sabarimala, the ADGP said.


The virtual queue which is running on an experimental basis for the moment, has become a big success though there are some drawbacks like multiple bookings in which a pilgrim has to book twice or thrice to have darshan upon reaching Sannidhanam.


A permanent solution will be found to this glitch before the system is finally put in place before the season.


The queue that allots darshan to 16,000 pilgrims a day is almost full till the end of the season and according to reports, vacancies are left only for the last three days, Chandrashekeran said.