During the busy Mandala season at Sabarimala temple, huge crowds of pilgrims arrived at the same time. The rush was so heavy that people were stuck in long lines, pushing forward, and a near-stampede happened. Sadly, one woman collapsed and died while trekking.
Why did this happen?
- Too many people came together — more than one lakh pilgrims in two days.
- Narrow paths and barricades made movement difficult.
- Long waiting hours caused tiredness and panic.
What are the dangers?
When crowds get too packed:
- People can fall or get pushed.
- Breathing becomes hard.
- Panic spreads quickly, leading to stampede-like situations.
Safety advice for pilgrims:
- Book darshan online and stick to your time slot.
- Avoid peak hours and festival days if possible.
- Walk slowly and follow police or volunteers.
- Don’t push or jump barricades.
- Stay hydrated and rest during the trek.
- If you feel a crowd surge, keep your arms up to protect your chest and move sideways to safety.
What are authorities doing?
- Limiting daily entries to control crowd size.
- Reducing spot bookings so fewer people arrive without planning.
- Extending temple hours to spread out the rush.
- Deploying more police and medical teams along the route.
Sabarimala is a place of faith and devotion, but safety must come first. With careful planning by authorities and cooperation from pilgrims, everyone can complete their holy journey without danger.
