It is a fact that unlike the gatherings elsewhere in the State, the pilgrims are turning up for darshan at Sabarimala only with COVID19 negative certificate after conducting RTPCR test or any test recognised by the Government as equivalent to RTPCR. That apart, the indisputable fact is that after the order of this Court whereby and whereunder the number of pilgrims was enhanced to 5000, at no point of time since the said order, the said permitted number of pilgrims turned up for darshan. In view of the facts that the devotees registered through the website are given time slots and that each day, for darshan, about 10 hours are available, the crowd management will not be a difficult affair. We are of the view that in order to see that the permitted number of 5000 pilgrims are turning up with the conditions already imposed and approved by this Court, the number can be enhanced from 5000 to 10000. We are sure that even if that much number of pilgrims are turning up each day, it may not create a situation of concern in case the COVID-19 pandemic protocol is adhered to. It is a fact that from 15.3.2021 to 28.3.2021, the shrine will remain opened in connection with high days. In such circumstances, we are of the view that the number of pilgrims permissible can now be fixed as 10000. It is ordered accordingly.
