Sabarimala Pilgrimage: Kerala Government Introduces Sabari Portal and WhatsApp Chatbot for Devotees

With the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season set to begin in a few days, the Kerala government is stepping up preparations at Sabarimala to ensure a smooth experience for Ayyappa devotees. This year, the district administration is introducing the Sabari Portal and a WhatsApp chatbot to provide emergency services and real-time information. The digital platforms have been developed to streamline pilgrim services and improve coordination among various government departments. Devotees will be able to access information and services related to darshan, transportation, accommodation, healthcare and emergency assistance, as well as facilities available at Pamba, Nilakkal and Sannidhanam.

According to officials, the portal will bring multiple services together on a single platform, eliminating the need for devotees to visit different offices. Pilgrims can report missing persons or lost belongings through the portal, and the complaints will be automatically forwarded to the police control room. Updates on the action taken will be shared with devotees through WhatsApp. The portal will also provide locations of drinking water facilities, toilets, medical centres, parking areas, rest houses and ATMs, with Google Maps support for easy navigation. Information on train and bus services, along with official prices of various items, will also be available in multiple languages.