Pathanamthitta: Yesterday, over 95,326 Ayyappa devotees visited Sabarimala. Since 3 a.m., 4,000 people have climbed the Pthinettampadi (the 18th step) every hour. The number of pilgrims continues to flow steadily, forming lengthy lines from Sabaripeedam to Sannidhanam . The Devaswom Board and security staff are expecting more young Ayyappa devotees as the weekend approaches.
During previous days, when the rush at Sabarimala increased, the authorities, in a bid to control the huge rush, blocked the pilgrims at three areas between Sabaripeetom and Pamba. They were then allowed to proceed towards the holy shrine in stages to prevent overcrowding and rush. Now it takes approximately ten hours to reach Sannidhanam from Pamba.
Consequently, restrictions on parking vehicles along the Nilakkal route via Erumeli and Laha have been temporarily relaxed. Since Pampa was crowded with pilgrims, Ayyappa devotees had to wait for three hours to climb the mountain. On Wednesday, Sabarimala witnessed the highest number of pilgrims in the last ten days.
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