The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to change the ‘Darshan’ route at Sabarimala, allowing devotees to have darshan directly as they climb the holy 18 steps at Sannidhanam. The change will be implemented on a trial basis from March 15 during the monthly pooja and would continue for 12 days during the Vishu Pooja. The decision was taken after obtaining permission from the Temple Tantri and holding detailed discussions with stakeholders. To involve Ayyappa devotees in the temple’s development, the Board will also organise a global Ayyapa devotees’ meet at Pamba. The Board has also decided to increase temple offering rates by 30 per cent. The rates were last revised in 2016, although the Board is authorised by the High Court to revise them every five years. The cost of essential goods has tripled over the past nine years, leaving us with no choice but to adjust the rates,\” said TDB president P S Prasanth.