Overcrowding In Guruvayoor Temple A Municipal-Level Civic Challenge: Kerala High Court Issues Guidelines For Efficient Crowd Management
The Kerala High Court said that lack of coordination among various government departments is a major impediment in a temple city like Guruvayoor.
Kerala High Court, Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple
The Kerala High Court has issued certain guidelines for the efficient crowd management in the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple, a major Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Krishna.
The Court was hearing a batch of Writ Petitions in which the issues were related to the queue system, crowd management, and related matters in the Guruvayoor temple.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar observed, “As the number of pilgrims increases daily, overcrowding in Guruvayoor has become a municipal-level civic challenge, not merely a temple-management problem. While the influx brings economic growth, it also raises concerns regarding sanitation, health, environment, traffic regulation, and law and order.”
The Bench said that lack of coordination among various government departments is a major impediment in a temple city like Guruvayoor.
Advocates Hrithwik D. Namboodiri and K. Mohanakannan appeared for the Petitioners, while Standing Counsel Vipin Das appeared for the Respondents. Advocate Lekha Suresh was the party-in-person.
Factual Background
The Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple is considered as the “Dwaraka of South India” and is known as “Bhooloka Vaikuntam” (the abode of Lord Krishna on earth). It is believed that the idol is over 5,000 years old and was worshipped by Lord Krishna himself. In the lead Petition, P. N. Radhakrishnan i.e., the Petitioner submitted a complaint before the High Court seeking the reintroduction of the online booking facility for darshan in Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor. The Court registered a suo motu case and vide Order dated November 13, 2023, directed the Respondents to reconsider the request made by the Petitioner for the reintroduction of the online booking facility for free darshan to pilgrims/devotees at Guruvayoor Sreekrishna Temple, and to take an appropriate decision after affording him an opportunity of being heard.
As per the Petitioner, the number of devotees visiting Guruvayoor Sreekrishna Temple is increasing day by day and therefore, an alternative mechanism, distinct from the conventional long-standing queue system, is the need of the hour. He further submitted that the present system of an unending queue poses serious difficulties for devotees, including elderly women, differently-abled persons, and those coming from distant places. He also stated that during 2022, the COVID pandemic period, the temple authorities implemented an online virtual system and it has been withdrawn irrationally.
Court’s Observations
The High Court in the above regard, noted, “Given the hardships faced by devotees, it is high time that a new, modern, scientifically-designed system is introduced to ease their difficulties and ensure a dignified and spiritually fulfilling experience. … A devotee visiting a temple expects a peaceful and hassle-free darshan. The purpose of such a visit is not merely to see the deity but to attain inner peace, solace, and spiritual elevation.”
The Court emphasised that the Devaswom Managing Committee, as trustee, is under a sacred legal and moral duty to safeguard the welfare of devotees and since temple administration is funded through offerings made by devotees, their rights and needs are paramount.
“No devotee should leave the temple with a sense of grievance or dissatisfaction. … Numerous difficulties faced by devotees have already been set forth by the petitioners. The focus now must shift to how the Managing Committee can revamp the outdated physical queue system through scientific planning and improved logistics. A new system must align with the temple’s actual carrying capacity”, it remarked.
The Court observed that the temple opens at 3:00 a.m. and closes around 10:30 p.m.; however, considering ritual closures, the effective darshan window is approximately 10–11 hours per day.
“The foremost step, therefore, is a scientific assessment of the maximum number of devotees the temple can safely accommodate per day, especially during festivals. The Standing Counsel suggests a capacity of 7,000–10,000 devotees, but this requires formal validation. The temple may also explore enhancing darshan hours through consultations with the Thantri”, it added.
The Court was of the view that if the permissible daily limit is 7,000, then physical bookings should not exceed that number and bookings may be distributed across morning and evening sessions.
“The devotees may also be categorised into groups (A, B, C, D, etc.), each consisting of 300–500 persons, enabling staggered darshan and reducing crowding inside the temple premises. … The Managing Committee must establish a system for real-time digital display of darshan progress and queue movement. A modified physical queue with real-time intelligence would significantly ease the burden on devotees”, it suggested.
The Court further said that effective crowd control demands a permanent inter-departmental coordination committee comprising district heads of all critical departments and security, both inside and outside the temple, requires reinforcement by specially trained police officers.
Guidelines and Conclusion
The Court, therefore, issued the following directives to ensure orderly administration, protection of devotee rights, and efficient crowd management –
• A detailed study must be conducted to determine the maximum number of devotees the temple can safely accommodate on normal and festival days. The daily cap shall thereafter be fixed accordingly.
• There shall be one designated entry and one designated exit point to streamline movement.
• Devotees may be grouped (A, B, C, D, etc.), with 300–500 persons per group. Aadhaar/Electoral ID shall be mandatory for spot-booking for security purposes.
• Each group shall be allotted tentative time slots to prevent prolonged waiting.
• A mobile application needs to be developed and digital display systems providing real-time updates.
• At least two days a week may be dedicated exclusively for online booking, benefiting devotees from distant locations.
• Adequate drinking water, seating arrangements, shade, fans, and light refreshments must be provided. establishing resting areas and air-cooled waiting halls for senior citizens, feeding mothers, disabled and children can also be considered.
• Darshan hours may be increased, after consultation with the Thantri, by optimising ritual closures.
• The Committee must ensure a dignified darshan experience and prevent misconduct by staff.
• Regular training must be provided to improve efficiency, discipline, and courteous behaviour.
• Senior citizens, differently-abled persons, pregnant women, and those with infants shall receive priority darshan. In respect of such persons Aadhaar Card shall be made mandatory.
• A permanent multi-departmental committee shall be constituted with the following members:
a. Chairman/Member, Devaswom Managing Committee
b. District Collector, Thrissur
c. Superintendent of Police, Thrissur
d. Secretary, Guruvayoor Municipality
e. District Coordinator, Suchitwa Mission
f. Environmental Engineer, Pollution Control Board
g. District Medical Officer
The Court concluded by directing that the Guruvayoor Devaswom Managing Committee shall prepare a comprehensive action plan, after consultation with the various stakeholders and place before the Court, as expeditiously as possible, within an outer limit of two months.
Accordingly, the High Court disposed of the Petitions and issued necessary directions.
Cause Title- P.N. Radhakrishnan v. State of Kerala & Ors. (Neutral Citation: 2025:KER:89186)
Appearance:
Petitioners: Advocates Hrithwik D. Namboodiri, K. Mohanakannan, P.N. Damodaran Namboodiri, Varada K. Hari, and Adarsh Mohan K.
Respondents: Standing Counsel Vipin Das
