Thiruvananthapuram: In an effort to curb the misuse and swapping of passes for viewing the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to introduce photo-affixed passes from this year. A total of 250 Golden Passes will be issued to devotees to watch the ritual from the temple courtyard, while Silver Passes will be allotted for viewing from the flyover.

From January 10, room booking at Sannidhanam will be made entirely online. Accommodation will be provided only to devotees who have booked rooms — and to those accompanying them — upon production of valid identity cards. The move is aimed at preventing the resale of room bookings, TDB president K Jayakumar said.

He also appealed to devotees who arrive early and camp in temporary shelters around the Sabarimala premises to avoid cooking for themselves. The TDB will arrange food distribution for them to minimise the risk of fire accidents, he added.

As climbing trees at vantage points to watch the Makaravilakku poses safety risks, additional police personnel will be deployed to prevent such practices. Tree branches along the Thiruvabharanam procession route will be cleared in coordination with the Forest Department to ensure an unobstructed passage for the sacred jewels.

Arrangements are also underway in Erumeli for the Chandanakkudam procession on January 10 and the Pettathullal ceremony the following day.

To ensure smoother travel for devotees returning after the festival, 100 additional buses will be operated this year, bringing the total fleet to 900, up from 800 last year.

Pilgrim entry capped at 35,000
On Makaravilakku day, January 14, entry to Sabarimala will be restricted to 35,000 pilgrims, of whom 30,000 will be allowed through the virtual queue booking system.

On January 13, a total of 40,000 pilgrims will be permitted, including 35,000 through the virtual queue. In the days leading up to the festival, virtual queue bookings will be opened for up to 70,000 pilgrims per day.

Spot bookings during this period will be capped at 5,000 pilgrims, Minister VN Vasavan and TDB president K Jayakumar said.