Swami AI Chatbot Launched to Enhance Sabarimala Pilgrimage Experience

In a significant step to improve the pilgrimage experience at Sabarimala, the Kerala government has introduced a chatbot named 'Swami.' Launched by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday, the chatbot aims to provide pilgrims with essential services and information in six languages: English, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.

Accessible via a smartphone interface, the 'Swami' chatbot offers a variety of services, including details about puja timings, local transportation (flight and train information), and crucial details from local police and the forest department. This initiative is a part of the Kerala government's effort to streamline the pilgrimage process and ensure better accessibility and convenience for visitors.

In addition, for the first time in Sabarimala's history, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has installed three weather stations along the pilgrimage route to issue real-time weather warnings. The IMD's first weather bulletin was released on Wednesday, warning of heavy rains in Sabarimala on Thursday and Friday.

To further accommodate the increasing number of devotees during the Mandal Puja season, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President PS Prashanth announced extended darshan hours. Pilgrims can now visit the temple from 3 AM to 1 PM, and then again from 3 PM to 11 PM, with up to 80,000 darshan tickets issued daily. Of these, 70,000 are available through online bookings, and 10,000 can be purchased on-site at Erumeli, Vandiperiyar, and Pampa.

Additionally, to ensure safety and minimize disruptions, cell phone usage has been banned at Padunettambadi. This move is expected to enhance the overall experience for the devotees visiting Sabarimala during the upcoming religious events.