A PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH TURNED INTO A CRISIS OF NEGLECT

Sabarimala is not just a temple — it is one of the world’s largest annual pilgrimages, a sacred journey millions undertake with discipline, devotion, and austerity. But this year, the devotees walked into something they didn’t expect: filth, mismanagement, chaos, stampede-level crowding, and shocking behaviour from those meant to protect them.

Water scarcity. Live electric cables. Fifteen-hour queues. zero crowd management.

And in the middle of this disorder, a kerala police official allegedly behaves in a vulgar, indecent manner toward ayyappa devotees — a disgrace that should have triggered immediate disciplinary action, not quiet cover-ups.

Meanwhile, the Devaswom Board and the kerala government, despite taking crores in donations, appear to have done the absolute minimum to prepare for a season that comes every single year, without fail.

This isn’t a “mistake.”
This is criminal negligence.

“10 Brutal Truths About the sabarimala Disaster That Every Devotee Needs to Hear”

1. A temple Under government Control — And Everything Under government Control Looks the Same

No water.
No cleanliness.
No crowd management.

Live wires on the ground.
A pilgrimage that should have had divine order instead resembled a neglected bus stand during the monsoon.

2. Devotees Walk for Days — Only to Stand in 15+ Hour Queues

ayyappa devotees observe 41 days of vratham, walk barefoot, climb hills…
and after all that, they are rewarded with:

✔ Endless queues
✔ zero shade
✔ zero facilities
✔ zero planning

This is not an inconvenience — this is systemic disrespect.

3. Donations Go In. Devotees Get Nothing Back.

Crores flow into the Devaswom Board.

But the temple?
Starved. Ignored.

Its infrastructure is decades behind the crowd it must serve.

Where does the money go?
Anywhere except where it should.

4. Filth Everywhere — Because Cleanliness Is Apparently Optional

From overflowing waste to unclean pathways, the experience is degrading for one of India’s holiest sites.
If a private trust managed this temple, the government would have filed cases.
But here? Silence.

5. Live Electric Cables in Pilgrim Paths — A Disaster Waiting to Happen

Live wires lying exposed on the ground during a massive pilgrimage is not an “oversight.”
It is life-threatening negligence.
Yet work continued amidst the devotée movement.

6. KSEB Doing Electrical Work During Pilgrim Movement

Who authorizes electrical repair work when lakhs of people are walking the route?
This is not bad planning.
There is no planning.

7. police Misconduct Is the Last Thing Devotees Should Fear

From reports of misbehaviour to an official allegedly making vulgar gestures — this is beyond shameful.
Devotees come in faith.

They should not be subjected to humiliation.
And certainly not protected misconduct.

8. The Officer Was Quietly Removed — Not Held Accountable

Instead of immediate action, transparency, or apology, the alleged officer was simply whisked away to avoid outrage.
This is not the protection of law and order.
It is the protection against wrongdoing.

9. The government Knew the Season Was Coming — And Did Nothing

sabarimala season is not a surprise.
It happens every year, with predictable crowds, predictable timelines, and predictable needs.
Yet the preparations were worse than first-time management.

10. Faithful Devotees Deserve Dignity — Not Neglect

sabarimala attracts millions, from kerala, tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and the world.
Their devotion is unmatched.
Their discipline is extraordinary.
Their treatment this year?

Unacceptable. Unworthy. Unforgivable.

💥 CONCLUSION:

MISMANAGEMENT OF A PILGRIMAGE IS NOT AN ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR — IT IS A BETRAYAL OF FAITH
Sabarimala deserves respect.
Devotees deserve basic dignity.

And when negligence leads to suffering, chaos, and even deaths in stampedes, the issue moves from mismanagement to criminal failure.

This is not about politics.
This is about accountability.
A sacred pilgrimage cannot be allowed to become a man-made crisis every single year.

Fix the system.
Respect the devotees.
Honor the temple — not exploit it.