3 New Nadapandals Set To Open At Pamba Manappuram To Control Pilgrim Rush In Sabarimala: Travancore Devaswom Board To Kerala HC

Based on the submission that construction of the 3 Nadapandals was complete, the Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice G Girish stated thus:

“In such circumstances, this SSCR is disposed of by directing the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure that the newly constructed Nadapandals at Pamba Manappuram are opened to the pilgrims today itself.”

The court was hearing a suo motu case based on the report submitted by Sabarimala Special Commissioner seeking expeditious construction of Nadapandal to control the heavy rush of pilgrims at Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season.

Through the report, the court was informed that controlling the rush of pilgrims was becoming increasingly difficult due to festival season. Although Virtual-Q booking had been limited to 90,000 per day, more than 1.1 lakh pilgrims were reaching Sabarimala every day. Due to long waiting queue, these pilgrims including senior citizens and children were becoming exhausted and dehydrated.

It was claimed that to prevent heavy rush at Sabarimala, it was necessary to block pilgrims at Pamba which could be done only after construction of Nadapandals in Pamba Manappuram was completed.

In this backdrop, the Travancore Devaswom Board apprised the court that construction of 3 Nadapandals in Pamba Manappuram was completed and they would open to pilgrims from evening.

Appearance: Senior Government Pleader S Rajmohan; Standing Counsel G Biju for Travancore Devaswom Board; Amicus Curiae N Raghuraj for Special Commissioner

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Ker) 716

Case Title: Suo Moto v. State of Kerala and Ors., SSCR No. 44/2023

Click Here To Read/Download Order