Sabarimala, Jan 14 (UNI) The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa is witnessing a massive influx of pilgrims as thousands of devotees have assembled at the Sannidhanam and surrounding areas to witness the sacred Makaravilakku and Makarajyothi on Wednesday evening.
The atmosphere at the temple complex is charged with devotion as the most significant phase of the Mandala–Makaravilakku pilgrimage season unfolds.
The Makar Sankranti Pooja will be performed at 3.08 pm following traditional rituals. Devotees from different parts of the country have been standing in long queues since early morning to participate in the auspicious ceremonies and to have Darshan of Lord Ayyappa.
The revered Thiruvabharanam procession, carrying the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa from Pandalam, is scheduled to reach Saramkuthi by 5.30 pm. The procession will then be ceremonially received at the Sannidhanam at 6.15 pm.
Following this, Deepa Aradhana will be conducted, after which devotees will be allowed to enter the Sannidhanam for darshan of Lord Ayyappa adorned with the Thiruvabharanam.
Darshan of the deity in Thiruvabharanam will continue until January 17. The sacred ritual of Neyyabhishekam will be performed until January 18. On that day, a ceremonial Ezhunnallathu procession from the Mani Mandapam to Saramkuthi is also scheduled as part of the concluding temple rituals.
As part of the Malikappuram temple ceremonies, the Valiya Guruthi ritual will be held at Malikappuram on January 19 at 10 pm. Devotees will be allowed Darshan until the temple closes late at night.
On January 20, during the early morning hours, the Thiruvabharanam casket will be taken back in a ceremonial procession. After the customary Darshan by the representative of the Pandalam Royal Family, the temple will be closed, formally bringing the Makaravilakku festival to an end.
Elaborate security arrangements and crowd-control measures have been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of rituals and the safety of the lakhs of pilgrims arriving at Sabarimala for this spiritually significant occasion.
Makaravilakku festival: Massive pilgrim turnout at Sabarimala
