Virtual queue registration crosses 16 lakh at Sabarimala

Pilgrims waiting for darshan in the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala on Wednesday.

The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala has been witnessing heavy rush since the beginning of the Makaravilakku festival on December 30.

The police and Central forces have been facing tough times in regulating the pilgrim flow to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

Pilgrims were blocked at different points leading to the Sannidhanam to ease crowd pressure at the hillock.

It took eight to nine hours for the pilgrims to reach the temple premises from Pampa on Wednesday.

There has been considerable increase in the Virtual Queue registration introduced by the police for pilgrims to avoid the long wait inside the barricades on the Saramkuthi path. Police sources said the registration had already crossed 16 lakh this year. The Appam production at Sabarimala has been resumed on the basis of a High Court order to that effect, using the rice brought by devotees in their Irumudikkettu.

Meanwhile, a Vigilance team has found the rice provided by contractors for filling the Irumudi (kettunira) was of poor quality. The matter has been reported to the Pampa police as well as the Special Commissioner appointed by the High Court.