PATHANAMTHITTA (Kerala): The number of devotees visiting Sabarimala during the ongoing Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season has crossed 15 lakh, officials said.

According to official data, as of 7 pm on December 3, a total of 14,95,774 pilgrims had reached the hill shrine. With arrivals after 7 pm yet to be added, the total footfall is expected to surpass 15 lakh. Officials added that nearly 15 per cent of pilgrims who had secured virtual-queue bookings did not show up, while the cap on spot booking continues to be limited to 5,000.

Between midnight and 7 pm on Wednesday alone, 66,522 devotees arrived at Sabarimala, reflecting the heavy inflow of pilgrims in the 18 days of the current season, the officials said. Authorities said on Sunday that the crowd situation at Sabrimala is entir

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