India
In response to the long-standing requests of devotees, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has announced a significant change in the darshan route at the Sabarimala temple. From March 15, a new arrangement will allow devotees to have direct darshan of Lord Ayyappa as they ascend the sacred 18 steps at Sannidhanam.
TDB president P. S. Prasanth confirmed that this change will be introduced on a trial basis during the monthly pooja and will remain in place for 12 days during the Vishu Pooja. If the trial proves successful, the Board intends to make this a permanent arrangement for the next Mandalam-Makaravilakku season.
Currently, devotees who climb the holy steps must first queue on a bridge before proceeding for darshan, leaving them with only a few seconds to pray. According to Prasanth, this setup deprives nearly 80% of the devotees of a fulfilling spiritual experience. “With the new arrangement, each devotee will get approximately 20 to 25 seconds for darshan,” he stated.
The Board took this decision after seeking approval from the temple Tantri and conducting extensive discussions with stakeholders.
Global meet for Ayyappa devotees and temple development
In a bid to engage the global Ayyappa devotee community in temple development, the TDB has planned a global Ayyappa devotees’ meet at Pamba. Prasanth revealed that the Board lacks sufficient funds for key projects, and this event will provide an opportunity for devotees to contribute. The meet will be a small gathering of about 150 participants, scheduled for May, coinciding with the monthly pooja.
Gold pendants for devotees and new temple offering rates
As part of the Vishukkaineettam celebrations on April 14, the Board has collaborated with GRT Jewellers from Tamil Nadu and Kalyan Jewellers from Kerala to offer gold pendants engraved with Lord Ayyappa’s image. These pendants, available in 1 gm, 2 gm, 4 gm, and 8 gm sizes, can be pre-booked online from April 1 via www.sabarimalaonline.org.
Additionally, Prasanth announced a 30% increase in temple offering rates—the first revision since 2016. The High Court permits rate revisions every five years, but due to floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, no changes were implemented earlier. Rising costs and increased expenditures, including a salary and pension budget that has grown from ₹380 crore in 2016 to ₹910 crore in 2025, have made this revision necessary.
With these new developments, the TDB aims to enhance the darshan experience while ensuring the temple’s financial sustainability.
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