Makarajyothi flickers from Ponnambalamedu hills, Sabarimala in grip of religious fervour

SABARIMALA: Makarajyothi, the sacred flame lit up on Ponnambalamedu hills at 6:40 pm on Wednesday, sending thousands of devotees into heightened religious fervour. At around 6.40 am, during the deeparadhana, adorned with Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of Ayyappan), the MakaraJyoti lit up three times at Ponnambalamedu, opposite the Sannidhanam.

Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan, Devaswom President K. Jayakumar and Devaswom Board members were present at the Sannidhanam. At around 6.30 pm, the Thiruvabharanam brought from the Pandalam Palace was received by Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru and Melshanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri and taken inside the sanctum sanctorum. Ten minutes later, the temple was opened, and the idol was adorned with Thiruvabharanam.

The temple was opened at 2:45 pm today, ahead of the Makaravilakku festival. The Makara Sankranti Puja was held at 3:08 pm. Only those with passes in advance were allowed to enter the Sannidhanam from Pamba today. Devotees visiting the shrine till the 17th will be able to see Lord Ayyappa adorned with Thiruvabharanam. Neyyabhishekam will be held till the 18th. On the 18th, there will be a procession from Manimandapam to Saramkuthi.

On the 19th, at 10 pm, there will be a big Guruthi at Malikappuram. Devotees can have darshan until the temple closes at night on the 19th. The Thiruvabharanam pedakam (sacred caskets) will be returned in the morning on the 20th. After the Pandalam palace-representive completes darshan, the temple will close.