Thiruvananthapuram: Book time slots for darshan online now
The bookings can be made through the portal www.sabarimalaq.com and also at Nilakkal.
Thiruvananthapuram: Bookings for the digital crowd management system of Sabarimala temple were opened to the public on Tuesday.
The state police and KSRTC have jointly launched the system. The public can book time slots for darshan at the hill shrine as well as for KSRTC bus services from Nilakkal to Pampa during the two-month Mandala pooja - Makaravilakku season from November 16 to January 20.
The bookings can be made through the portal www.sabarimalaq.com and also at Nilakkal.
Thiruvananthapuram-range IG Manoj Abraham said that a trial of the system would be conducted on November 6 as the temple opens for one-day pooja. Electronic surveillance facilities like facial recognition would be installed at 12 points near Sabarimala.
With the implementation of the digital crowd management system, all devotees going to Sabarimala darshan in vehicles will be allowed to proceed beyond Nilakkal only after booking on the digital queue system.
No vehicles will be allowed beyond Nilakkal as all facilities at Pampa were devastated in the floods. KSRTC will carry out circular services between Nilakkal and Pampa. Pilgrims can book the time slot for darshan as well as KSRTC services between Nilakkal and Pampa online through the portal. One person will be able to make reservations for a maximum of ten pilgrims. A valid identity card is mandatory for making the reservation.
The pilgrims who walk all the way to Pampa will have to take a token from Pampa. During the previous pilgrimage season, on an average about 4,000 pilgrims used to walk to Sabarimala through the forest paths.
Like previous years, pilgrims can also avail of the virtual queue facility for proceeding to Sannidhanam through the Chandranandan road. Separate booking will have to be made for the purpose.