Makaravilakku on 14th January: 1600 police personnel deployed in Sabarimala

SABARIMALA: To resolve the rush of pilgrims for the Makaravilakku festival, around 1600 police personnel will be deployed at Sannidhanam under the supervision of ADGP S Sreejith. Makaravilakku and Sankrama Puja will be held on January 14. Sankrama Puja will be held at the time when the Sun passes from Sagittarius to Capricorn at 3.08 pm.

Pilgrims will start arriving at various centres in Sannidhanam from the 12th for Makarajyoti pilgrimage.

Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu and Melshanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri will be the chief celebrants. The Thiruvabharanam brought from the Pandalam Palace will be adorned on the idol, and the deepradhana ritual will be held at 6.40 pm. At this time, Makarajyothi (a significant divine light seen on Makara Sankranti) will be lit at Ponnambalamedu.

The Thiruvabharanam procession, which will leave from Pandalam on the 12th, will reach Saramkuthi on the evening of the 14th. The procession will climb the 18th steps and reach the Sannidhanam at 6.15 pm. Purification rituals ahead of Makaravilakku will be held on the 12th and 13th.

In view of the increased crowd, the board has appointed 500 additional sanitation workers. This is in addition to the existing 1,000 Vishudhi Sena members. Preparations are also underway to prevent a shortage of Appam and Aravana.

The work of clearing the Thiruvabharanam Path in the forest area has been completed. KSRTC will arrange special transport facilities for the return of pilgrims after darshan. Crowd control will be led by two SPs, 10 DySPs, 35 CIs and 50 SIs. Barricades will be installed at the places to prevent accidents. Drinking water and snacks will be ensured. The health department is ready to deal with all emergencies. Inspections will be conducted in coordination with various departments under the leadership of the District Collector.