Sabarimala witnessed unprecedented rush since Tuesday midnight and the police resorted to blocking the pilgrims at Pamba Nadapandal, Anjaneya Auditorium, Marakoottam and between Saramkuthi and Valiyanadapandal. The queue path at Valiyanadapandal at the Sannidhanam was packed with pilgrims and the queue extended up to Marakoottam.
Due to the heavy flow, pilgrims were forced to spend five to six hours in queue before darshan of Lord Ayyappa, the first of its kind during the ongoing season.
Lack of potable water: The pilgrims who were stranded in the trekking path between Marakoottam and Saramkuthi were denied supply of potable water.
Though the potable water pipelines were erected on the side of the path, lack of water supply through the pipes have left the pilgrims in distress.
The devaswom authorities also failed to initiate measures for the supply of biscuits and medicated water in bottles with the help of volunteers, it was reported.
Darshan time extended
The closure of the shrine was extended by 30 minutes till 11.30 pm instead of 11 pm on Tuesday as per the advice of the thantri.
Devaswom executive officer Mohandas said that if the rush continues, the temple opening and closure times will be changed to ensure additional darshan time for the pilgrims.
More force deployed
A total of 1,600 police personnel, including paramilitary forces of RAF and NDRF, will take charge on Wednesday for crowd control and to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
Headed by special officer P Unniraja, the police personnel include 20 DySPs, 40 CIs, 125 SIs and ASIs will be on duty at Sannidhanam till December 10. In addition, 200 police personnel from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka will join duty in a week and will assist the pilgrims from the states.
In Pampa, 900 police personnel, including 15 women police constables, will join duty on Wednesday for 15 days. Of the total, the personnel include 10 DySPs, 20 CIs, and 70 SIs and ASIs.
Ayurveda Hospital offers medical aid
The Government Ayurveda Hospital at Sannidhanam offers medical assistance to 400 to 500 pilgrims a day.
Located near Valiyanadapandal, the Ayurveda Hospital provides medicines to pilgrims for fever, cough, asthma, muscle cramps and leach bite.