Sat Jan 10 15:23:43 UTC 2026: # Sabarimala Gears Up for Makaravilakku Festival Amidst Water Scarcity Concerns

The Story:
Authorities are finalizing preparations for the annual Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala, scheduled for January 13 and 14, 2026. Crowd control measures are in place, including capping virtual queue bookings to 35,000 for January 13 and 30,000 for the festival day. Traffic and pilgrim movement will be restricted, and extensive arrangements are being made for drinking water, food, and safety. Simultaneously, concerns are mounting regarding declining water levels in the Pampa and Kakki rivers, prompting the Irrigation department to implement contingency plans.

Key Points:
* Virtual Queue bookings are capped at 35,000 for January 13 and 30,000 for January 14.
* Traffic and pilgrim movement restrictions will be enforced, including closure of the Nilackal-Pampa route after 9 a.m. on January 14 and ascent to the hill after 10 a.m.
* Parking at Pampa will be prohibited starting January 12.
* Extensive arrangements include barricades, lighting, drinking water access points, and medicinal water distribution.
* Cooking is banned at waiting points, and free food distribution is planned for January 13 and 14 at Pandithavalam.
* The procession carrying sacred ornaments will commence from Pandalam on Monday at 1 p.m.
* Water levels in the Pampa and Kakki rivers have significantly dropped, necessitating reliance on check dams.

Key Takeaways:

  • Crowd management remains a top priority for the Sabarimala Makaravilakku festival.
  • Water scarcity is a growing concern, requiring careful resource management.
  • The event necessitates collaboration between various departments (police, forest, irrigation) to ensure smooth conduct.
  • The local economy will experience a temporary boost due to the increase in tourism during the festival.

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