Thiruvananthapuram:
Keeping in view the long pending demand of Sabarimala devotees, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to change the ‘Darshan’ route in Sabarimala, allowing devotees to directly darshan as they climb the holy 18 stages in the sanadhanam.
TDB Chairman PS Prasanth announced that the change will be implemented on the basis of testing from March 15 during monthly worship and will continue for 12 days during Vishu Puja.
“If it proves to be successful, this change will be made permanent during the next Mandal-Makarvilakku season.”
He said that the board had received several requests, including thousands of letters of devotees, which requested amendment of the route to facilitate better philosophy when he climbed 18 holy stages.
“Currently, devotees climbing the sacred stages are directed on a bridge, where they wait in a queue before proceeding to the other side.
This decision was taken after receiving permission from the temple system and discussing with detailed discussions with stakeholders.
“With the new arrangement, every devotee will get about 20 to 25 seconds for darshan,” Prasanth said.
To include Ayyappa devotees in the development of the temple, the Board will also organize a global Ayyappa devotees’ meeting in Pamba.
Prasanth revealed that the board lacks sufficient funds for development projects in Sabarimala, and the meeting will provide an opportunity to the devotees to contribute eagerly.
“It will not be a big gathering. We expect about 150 participants. It is planned as a two -day program in May when the temple opens for monthly worship,” he said.
Additionally, Prasanth announced that GRT Jewelers in Tamil Nadu and Kalyan Jewelers of Kerala had won the tender for the gold pendant to be carved out with the image of Lord Ayyappa. These pendants will be available in size of 1 gram, 2 grams, 4 grams, and 8 grams in size and will be distributed on 14 April as ‘Vishukanenette’.
“Devotees who want to buy these pendants can book them online from April 1 through the website www.sabarimalaonline.org,” he said.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has also decided to increase the temple offering rates by 30 percent. Prasanth stated that the rates were finalized in 2016, although the board has been authorized by the High Court to amend them every five years.
“Due to floods and Covid-19 epidemic, we were unable to implement any rate increase. However, nine years later, we are modifying rates after consultation with the stakeholders, recommendations from the Lokpal, and the approval of the High Court. The cost of essential commodities has been three times in the last nine years, we have been left with no option.
He further said that in 2016, the board’s expenditure on salary and pension was Rs 380 crore, which has now increased to Rs 910 crore in 2025.
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