Citation

Joseph JK, Ambady KG, Dev KA, Hsu EB, Pradeepkumar AP. J. Relig. Health 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, 695581, Kerala, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Academy of Religion and Mental Health, Publisher Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10943-019-00814-w

PMID

30976963

Abstract

Identification of basic factors of pilgrim satisfaction is essential to responsive authorities for effective implementation of devotee welfare programmes. The determinants of satisfaction in a particular location are comprised of environmental, economic and sociocultural activities. The Sabarimala hill temple is one of the major Sastha temples in India. Every year, about 25 million pilgrims visit the temple from all parts of the country and abroad. The present study analyzes devotee satisfaction according to their demographic profile and identifies key factors that affect the overall satisfaction of pilgrims visiting the temple at the Sabarimala mass gathering destination. A total of 526 visitors were contacted with a prestructured, field tested questionnaire. This was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Factor analysis, regression analysis and two-step cluster analysis were used to elucidate satisfaction parameters. The identified factor groupings for pilgrim satisfaction at Sabarimala destination are food and accommodation, safety and security, health and sanitation, ecology and environment and and communication and transportation. From the analysis of various results of the present study, it is evident that the mass pilgrimage of Sabarimala destination exhibits the signs of a secular experience and its visitors are mainly motivated by spiritual aspects.

Language: en

Keywords

Factor analysis; Mass gathering; Pilgrim satisfaction; Religiosity; Sabarimala