The Sabarimala pilgrimage season ended on a highly positive note, with the temple earning a record-breaking revenue of ₹440 crore. This marked an impressive ₹80 crore increase compared to the previous year. According to Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, over 53 lakh devotees visited the temple, surpassing the previous year’s turnout by six lakh.
Efficient crowd management and coordinated efforts by government departments ensured a smooth, complaint-free pilgrimage season. The initial announcement to halt spot bookings raised concerns among devotees, but the government quickly revised its decision to accommodate them. Enhanced darshan arrangements, such as extending darshan hours to 18 hours daily and increasing the throughput of devotees climbing the sacred 18 steps, contributed to a seamless experience.
Improved facilities at Nilakkal and Pampa, including expanded parking, rest areas, and the provision of food and water, further added to the pilgrims’ convenience. Over 10 lakh devotees utilized the spot booking system, while more than 30 lakh people benefitted from Annadanam services.
Key revenue sources included ₹192 crore from Aravana sales, ₹126 crore from Hundi donations, and an expected increase in Appam sales compared to ₹17.64 crore in the previous year. The pilgrimage’s highest single-day attendance reached 1,08,800 devotees, managed by a deployment of 13,655 police personnel.
The successful execution of this year’s pilgrimage season underscores the importance of meticulous planning and inter-departmental collaboration, setting a benchmark for future events.
