The Kerala High Court has issued a list of directives to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to improve pilgrim management at the Sabarimala temple during the 2026-27 Mandala Makaravilakku season.
They include putting a cap of 75,000 pilgrims daily. The High Court initiated suo motu proceedings, in light of the difficulties encountered in crowd management during the season in 2025-26.
The court sought steps to address infrastructural works, transport logistics, utility provisioning, local body services, inter-departmental coordination, procurement processes, contractual engagements, repairs, maintenance, and all other allied activities. If all preparatory works are completed at least two months ahead of the season, the pilgrimage can be conducted in a safe, orderly, environmentally responsible, and pilgrim-centric manner, observed a Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar.
An unprecedented 78,68,272 devotees visited Sabarimala during the 2025-26 season. The number of devotees must be limited to such that they can be safely accommodated for darshan without compromising on safety, order, or dignity. As directed by the court, the board shall constitute a Sabarimala Infrastructure and Crowd Management Expert Committee at the earliest, so as to ensure a structured and scientific approach to pilgrimage management.
