During the recent Mandala season in Diwali 2025, pilgrims traveling to Sabarimala faced severe hardships due to poor crowd management, corruption, and unsafe conditions. A devotee who journeyed to the shrine described an exhausting and chaotic experience that highlighted systemic neglect by temple authorities and government officials.
The pilgrim wrote that the ordeal began at Nilackal, where bus stands were inadequately organized, queue systems were non-existent, and announcements were confusing or absent.
Despite a significant police presence, there was little coordination. Buses moved dangerously through the crowds, forcing pilgrims to push forward like commuters on a crowded city train. Elderly pilgrims were left waiting for hours on bare ground, exposed to the elements, without shade or support. The pilgrim recalled that before COVID-19, devotees could reach Pamba directly, but now they were forced to park at Nilackal and board dilapidated KSRTC buses, paying ₹50 per adult and ₹25 per child, creating additional hurdles in an already taxing journey.
He stated that the situation worsened near Nadapandal, where long queues extended over uneven terrain. While early arrivals waited for hours, others were allowed to bypass lines with the assistance of policemen, creating frustration and resentment among those who had queued patiently. Sandeep recounted standing for nearly 12 hours from Nadapandal to Sannidhanam with minimal access to food or water, only a few biscuits and sips of water were available near the KSEB office. Many elderly pilgrims and children were forced to leave the queue due to exhaustion, and some lost their irumudi, the sacred bundle carried by devotees. Others abandoned it and returned home, a scene that even veteran pilgrims described as unprecedented.
🚨Crowd Mismanagement & Negligence
Near Nadapandal, chaos turned cruel.
Queues stretched over mounds — hours of waiting, inch by inch, while others who came later were allowed to move past the long queue by policemen.We stood for nearly 12 hours from Nadapandal to Sannidhanam… pic.twitter.com/RNZmOEoutz
— Sandeep (@Sand_161) October 20, 2025
He stated that corruption and preferential treatment were also evident. Certain pilgrims were allowed to bypass the crowds through side gates with the help of KSEB officials, while doli carriers demanded ₹1,000 per person to move straight to Pathinettam Padi near Vaavar Sannadhi. The pilgirm reported instances of police officers shoving and pushing devotees, sometimes physically manhandling them, with one officer grabbing the pilgrim by the belt and hurling him forward, causing injury. These incidents occurred despite all pilgrims being registered through the Virtual Q system.
Accommodation at the hilltop revealed further issues. While official notices claimed, “no rooms available,” rooms were accessible in person for cash payments only. Officials allegedly refused digital payments and even offered to “fast-track” bookings for double the standard rate off the record. Sandeep wrote that rooms were poorly maintained, with leaking ceilings, broken toilets, and leftover garbage and the receipts provided were mere acknowledgments of cash received, with no transparency regarding usage or allocation.
🛏️Cash & Room Scams
The official site always says “no rooms available.”
But go in person and rooms magically appear — for cash only.Even with 5G at the top of the hill, officials refuse UPI.
One officer offered to “fast-track” my booking if I paid double — off the record.… pic.twitter.com/9xBl4p3wWF— Sandeep (@Sand_161) October 20, 2025
He also observed that several officials at the shrine displayed no outward signs of devotion, lacking chandanam or tilak. With the Travancore Devaswom Board reporting ₹440 crores in revenue last season, devotees faced long queues, unsafe conditions, and inadequate facilities, raising questions about the use of temple funds.
The pilgrimage, which should have been a spiritual journey, instead became a test of endurance for the devotees, highlighting the urgent need for proper crowd management, transparency in temple finances, and accountability for corruption. Sandeep called for systemic reforms, including public audits of temple funds, investigations into cash dealings, and structured measures to ensure the safety and dignity of devotees.
(This article is based on an X thread by Sandeep)
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