The much-anticipated Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season is approaching, and the virtual queue booking schedule for people going to the Lord Ayyappa temple has been finalised. The online registration will be started on October 29 at 10 AM.
The booking system is made to cater to the huge number of devotees expecting to arrive for pilgrimage and organise darshan schedule. When people are going to Sabarimala in advance, they should select their virtual queue passes and check the expected darshan slots before starting their journey.
The authorities are taking measures to manage the movement of pilgrims and avoid overcrowding along the main routes leading to the temple. The virtual queue system is used by devotees to select the date for darshan and time slot prior to reaching the pilgrimage centre.
As there are many people going to the hill shrine during the season, early registration is important in planning the pilgrimage. Devotees should visit the official Travancore Devaswom Board website, sabarimalaonline.org, where ticket booking is open, and get the pass. Also, follow the latest instructions issued by the temple authorities before travelling to the shrine.
Sabarimala Virtual Queue: Daily Booking Limits
As per the arrangements, the main Nilakkal-Pamba route will accommodate up to 60,000 devotees per day through the virtual queue system. This is the main route for pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala, and the flow of visitors during this time is a major part of the crowd-control plan. In addition to the main route, pilgrims are allowed to use alternative routes subject to the prescribed daily limits. The Erumeli forest route will accommodate up to 3,000 devotees per day, and the Vandiperiyar-Sathram route will also allow up to 3,000 pilgrims per day.
The route-wise limits are aimed at distributing devotees' movements and reducing congestion in the pilgrimage. But visitors need to make sure that they choose a route for their virtual queue passes and follow what they know and they need to follow the policy. They should not consider that they can enter through any route as long as they have obtained a pass. The route selection, date and time before departure will help to avoid confusion at the entry points.
Sabarimala Spot Booking Centres: Locations and Daily Capacity
Devotees who are unable to book online in advance will get spot booking facilities in selected locations. The spot booking centre at Nilakkal will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 devotees per day. The Erumeli centre will be able to hold 2,000 pilgrims per day, and the Vandiperiyar-Sathram centre can hold another 2,000 devotees per day.
However, pilgrims should note that the spot booking centre at Pamba has been removed in accordance with a Kerala High Court order, as stated in the announcement. So devotees should not rely on getting a spot booking at Pamba after reaching the pilgrimage location.
Those who have not secured a virtual queue pass in advance should check the availability and operating instructions of the designated spot booking centres before travelling. Early booking of the booking is quite essential for families, elderly devotees and those travelling long distances to reach Sabarimala.
Is Sabarimala Virtual Queue Booking Free?
Yes, the virtual queue pass is free of charge under the arrangements in the proposed arrangements. Devotees do not need to pay any booking fee for this pass. It is also reported that pilgrims can voluntarily contribute a minimum of ₹5 to the pilgrims' relief fund or general fund. The voluntary assistance in this regard is for temple administration, sanitation and other activities.
A donation is not necessary to obtain the virtual queue pass. Users should be wary of unofficial websites, intermediaries or agents who demand money for a service that is free of charge. In order to avoid fraud, registration and booking activities should be carried out through the official portal and pilgrims should not share sensitive personal information or payment details with unauthorised individuals.
Documents and Details Required for Virtual Queue Registration
Devotees should have all the information and documents they need to have ready before registration opens to complete the process to make it easier for them. They must have a working mobile number and an email address for registration and account verification. Applicants must also have an accepted identity document such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID card or passport as per the booking portal.
A passport-size photo with less than 30 KB file size should also be prepared. Such details will help to avoid any delays in registration, especially when many devotees try to book their preferred slots soon after the portal opens. Pilgrims should make sure that the booking information in the form corresponds to their identity documents and upload their photo as required by the portal.
How to Book a Sabarimala Virtual Queue Pass Online
To book a pass, devotees need to visit sabarimalaonline.org and log in as new users by entering their name, mobile number and email address. They can then log in and provide the required personal information once they verify their account through the one-time password (OTP). They need to enter their identity document details and upload the requested photo.
After submitting profile details, devotees are to select the 'Virtual Queue' option on the portal and can pick the darshan date, time slot and pilgrimage route from the options on the screen. Before confirming the booking, applicants should review all the details thoroughly and then check if any error occurred.
The QR code is generated when the booking is completed, and the pass is downloaded for the devotees on their mobile phones. Devotees must download the pass in PDF format and save it for the journey. The availability of a copy and any additional instructions issued by the authorities also help to make the verification process smoother.
Important Guidelines for Sabarimala Pilgrims
With virtual queue registration starting on October 29 at 10 AM, devotees need to prepare for their pilgrimage and only use the official website. They shouldn’t go to any websites or agents who ask for money for the pass. Pilgrims should also check their confirmed darshan date, time slot and route before leaving home. They should follow crowd management instructions, cooperate with officials and check for updates on booking rules and pilgrimage arrangements.
The Mandala-Makaravilakku season attracts large numbers of Ayyappa devotees from across India and beyond. Preparation, timely registration and adhering to the written instructions are crucial for a more comfortable and orderly pilgrimage. The pilgrims should make their booking as early as possible when registration is open, as they should not be forced to do it by chance. Bookings and the process of bookings will be updated as the authorities do and pilgrims should check the information on the official website before starting their travel to Sabarimala.
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