Sabarimala Pilgrimage Faces Chaos as Devotees Endure Long Waits

The ongoing Sabarimala pilgrimage season in Kerala has witnessed an unprecedented rush, leading to pilgrims waiting for more than 15 hours for temple darshan. The pilgrimage, attracting an average of 75,000 devotees daily, has been marred by inadequate arrangements, with long queues and poor facilities. Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for focusing on his statewide trip, neglecting the organization of the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims have reported difficulties, including scarce drinking water. State BJP president K. Surendran accused the government of prioritizing revenue over pilgrims’ welfare. The pilgrimage season’s first phase ends on December 27, with concerns about ongoing challenges.