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Keralas Sabarimala Temple to Pilot AI-Powered Queue Management System for Upcoming Pilgrimage Season
On 20 June 2026 the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) announced that it will trial an artificial‑intelligence–driven queue‑management system at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple for the 2026 pilgrimage season, which opens in mid‑November. The pilot is a prelude to a phased rollout that could cover the entire Mandala Pooja period.
The system will be deployed this year on a limited basis, with a full‑scale implementation slated for later seasons. TDB President K. Jayakumar said the board will issue an expression of interest after a second meeting with the police. An expert committee will examine the technological and financial aspects of proposals, and the board aims to award the contract by 10 August. Once a work order is issued, operators will have 90–100 days to install and test the solution.
According to Jayakumar, the AI platform will combine high‑resolution cameras, infrared sensors and drones to capture real‑time data on crowd density across different zones and parking areas. Predictive analytics will enable authorities to spot emerging congestion before it escalates, a process that currently takes hours to resolve. The system will also supply live guidance to police officers on the trekking path and within the temple premises.
Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption Bureau Director Manoj Abraham highlighted that real‑time analytics could reduce the need for large police deployments. Pathanamthitta District Police Chief R. Anand added that face‑recognition capabilities will help locate missing pilgrims, including children and the elderly.
The AI initiative is part of a broader “Vision Plan” approved by the Kerala High Court. The plan introduces a new sanitation protocol that will be incorporated into contracts with eateries and restaurants operating around Sabarimala. The board also announced a campaign to promote best practices for pilgrims in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, where roughly 75 % of visitors originate.
A news bulletin titled Sabarimala Sandesh will be launched in English first, followed by regional languages. The bulletin and related campaigns will be distributed through social media channels, including YouTube.
Sabarimala sits within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Pathanamthitta district. The hill shrine draws an estimated 10–15 million devotees each year and is open only during the Mandala Pooja period (mid‑November to late‑December), Makaravilakku (14 January), Maha Thirumal Sankranti (14 April), and the first five days of each Malayalam month.
The AI system’s pilot will commence before the 2026 pilgrimage season starts. If successful, it could become a model for crowd management at other large religious events across India.
In summary, the Travancore Devaswom Board plans to test an AI‑driven queue‑management system this year, with a full rollout contingent on the pilot’s performance. The initiative is part of a court‑approved vision that also tackles sanitation, police deployment and pilgrim education.
The system will be deployed this year on a limited basis, with a full‑scale implementation slated for later seasons. TDB President K. Jayakumar said the board will issue an expression of interest after a second meeting with the police. An expert committee will examine the technological and financial aspects of proposals, and the board aims to award the contract by 10 August. Once a work order is issued, operators will have 90–100 days to install and test the solution.
According to Jayakumar, the AI platform will combine high‑resolution cameras, infrared sensors and drones to capture real‑time data on crowd density across different zones and parking areas. Predictive analytics will enable authorities to spot emerging congestion before it escalates, a process that currently takes hours to resolve. The system will also supply live guidance to police officers on the trekking path and within the temple premises.
Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption Bureau Director Manoj Abraham highlighted that real‑time analytics could reduce the need for large police deployments. Pathanamthitta District Police Chief R. Anand added that face‑recognition capabilities will help locate missing pilgrims, including children and the elderly.
The AI initiative is part of a broader “Vision Plan” approved by the Kerala High Court. The plan introduces a new sanitation protocol that will be incorporated into contracts with eateries and restaurants operating around Sabarimala. The board also announced a campaign to promote best practices for pilgrims in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, where roughly 75 % of visitors originate.
A news bulletin titled Sabarimala Sandesh will be launched in English first, followed by regional languages. The bulletin and related campaigns will be distributed through social media channels, including YouTube.
Sabarimala sits within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Pathanamthitta district. The hill shrine draws an estimated 10–15 million devotees each year and is open only during the Mandala Pooja period (mid‑November to late‑December), Makaravilakku (14 January), Maha Thirumal Sankranti (14 April), and the first five days of each Malayalam month.
The AI system’s pilot will commence before the 2026 pilgrimage season starts. If successful, it could become a model for crowd management at other large religious events across India.
In summary, the Travancore Devaswom Board plans to test an AI‑driven queue‑management system this year, with a full rollout contingent on the pilot’s performance. The initiative is part of a court‑approved vision that also tackles sanitation, police deployment and pilgrim education.
