The Kerala High Court has pulled up authorities over the practice of carrying the mortal remains of devotees, who die during the Sabarimala pilgrimage, from Sannidhanam to Pamba on stretchers. The court said it was “shocked and dismayed” to learn that such a method was still being followed despite the distress it causes to grieving families and other pilgrims on the steep trekking path.
A Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar directed that the practice must stop immediately and that an ambulance be used for the transport of bodies to ensure “dignity and respect to the deceased at all stages.”
The order came after the Sabarimala Special Commissioner informed the court that devotees who die — often due to cardiac arrest triggered by the strenuous climb — are currently taken down on stretchers. He said this causes “significant distress and discomfort” to relatives and co-pilgrims.
He also noted that an unused ambulance was stationed at Pamba and could be deployed for this purpose.
Accepting the recommendation, the court permitted the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to use the old ambulance stationed at Pamba until a better vehicle is arranged.
“This arrangement shall continue until further orders or until a more suitable vehicle is made available… The said ambulance shall be used only for the purpose permitted as above,” the Bench clarified.
Turning to the rising number of medical emergencies during the pilgrimage, the court highlighted that the Mandalam–Makaravilakku season witnesses around 150 cardiac events each year, of which 40–42 lead to death.
This year alone, eight devotees died of cardiac arrest in just the first eight days.
The bench cited expert medical reports noting that sudden and strenuous exertion — especially brisk climbing — can trigger angina, myocardial infarction or even sudden arrhythmic death. The Neelimala–Appachimedu stretch was identified as particularly dangerous due to its steep and demanding terrain.
The court said devotees should be advised to take adequate rest breaks on this stretch to avoid overexertion.
Calling for an urgent systemic response, the court directed the TDB to prepare a detailed protocol within seven days, covering:
- A clear health advisory for devotees
- Crowd management measures
- Instructions on the virtual queue system
- A list of banned items, including plastics, chemical kumkum and shampoo sachets
- Environmental guidelines prohibiting dumping of dhoties or clothing in the Pampa river
The court made it clear that discarding clothing in the river is not an essential religious practice and harms the sanctity and ecology of the holy Pampa.
To ensure compliance, the Bench instructed that the protocol be:
- Uploaded on the TDB website
- Circulated through print, electronic, and visual media in multiple languages
- Publicised via announcements, banners, and SMS alerts
The court emphasised that the entire exercise must be completed within a week.
With Sabarimala attracting lakhs of devotees each season, the High Court’s order aims to prioritise safety, dignity, and ecological protection amid increasing medical incidents and heavy footfall.
