Thiruvananthapuram: In a decisive move to protect genuine devotees, the Kerala High Court has stepped in to curb the growing trend of pilgrims booking Sabarimala darshan slots through the virtual queue system and then failing to turn up. The court has called for strict corrective measures, including a possible hike in the booking fee.
During the last Mandala–Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, virtual queue slots were snapped up within hours of opening. However, records revealed that a large section of those who booked did not arrive for darshan. On several days, nearly 50 per cent of booked pilgrims stayed away, effectively blocking opportunities for thousands of devotees eager to visit the shrine.
The court noted that the current booking fee of just ₹5 encourages casual and irresponsible reservations, as many pilgrims feel there is no real loss in skipping the trip after booking.
To address this, the Special Commissioner has recommended increasing the booking fee and refunding a fixed portion of the amount to devotees who successfully complete the darshan. This model, the court observed, could discourage misuse while rewarding genuine pilgrims.
The High Court has sought detailed responses from the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board and aims to finalise the new system before September. While acknowledging that a refund-based mechanism may be administratively challenging, the court stressed that clear and firm guidelines are essential to ensure smooth, fair, and hassle-free darshan in the coming pilgrimage season.
