Kerala government to allow online booking for Sabarimala pilgrims at Akshaya centres as opposition mounts

The Kerala government has faced backlash from Hindu organizations, the BJP, and the Congress for disallowing spot bookings and limiting the number of daily pilgrims to Sabarimala Ayyappa temple to 80,000. In response to the opposition, the government has decided to open Akshaya Centres for last-minute online bookings and will consult with the Travancore Devaswom Board for a final decision. The government aims to facilitate a hassle-free darshan by controlling the crowd, but some groups have planned protests against the decision. The government is trying to avoid social polarization ahead of upcoming by-elections and has faced previous controversy over the entry of young women into the temple.