Kerala High Court

Kerala HC: Guruvayoor Temple Must Rethink Crowd Management for Festivals

Updated
Dec 15, 2025 11:01 PM
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Here's the scoop: The High Court of Kerala has made a big decision about how people visit the famous Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. They want to make it easier for everyone to get in without waiting forever.

The Issue with Long Lines

The temple, located in Thrissur, Kerala, sees a massive number of visitors daily. People have been complaining about standing in line for hours. This problem gets worse during special festivals like Ekadashi and Vishu.

Who's Involved?

The main people in this case are:

  • P. N. Radhakrishnan: He wants the temple to bring back the online booking system for darshan (a sacred view of the deity).
  • Sumesh C. M.: Another visitor who highlights the hardships faced by people waiting in line.
  • Adv. Lekha Suresh: She had a rough time during the 2024 Ekadashi festival and filed a complaint.

What Did the Court Say?

On November 21, 2025, Judges Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K. V. Jayakumar delivered their decision. They want the temple to think about how to manage crowds better.

"The Managing Committee must ensure a dignified darshan experience and prevent misconduct by staff."

Suggestions from the Court

  1. Scientific Study: Figure out how many people the temple can handle daily.
  2. Digital Tools: Use mobile apps to help manage the crowd and give real-time updates.
  3. Special Days for Online Booking: Have at least two days a week just for people who book online.
  4. Better Facilities: Provide water, seating, and shade for those waiting.

Why the Change?

The temple had tried an online system during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was stopped. The court thinks a mix of online and offline systems might work best.

The Temple's Side

The temple says it's hard to predict the exact timing of rituals, which makes scheduling darshan tricky. They also had issues with people arguing over who gets priority.

What's Next?

The temple's Managing Committee has two months to come up with a plan and report back to the court.

This decision is all about making sure everyone can have a peaceful and respectful visit to one of India's most beloved temples.