Thousands throng Sabarimala for Makaravilakku darshan today

SABARIMALA: Thousands of pilgrims have gathered at the Sannidhanam and surrounding areas to witness and worship during the Makaravilakku and Makarajyothi. The temple opened today at 2.45 pm, and the Makara Sankrama Pooja will be held at 3.08 pm.

The sacred Thiruvabharanam procession will reach Sharamkuthi at 5.30 pm. It will be formally received at the base of the flagstaff at 6.15 pm. Tantri Kandarar Mahesh Mohanaru and Melshanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri will jointly receive the sacred ornaments and take them into the sanctum sanctorum. At 6.30 pm, the temple doors will be closed, the Thiruvabharanam will be adorned on the deity, and Deeparadhana will be performed. When the temple doors reopen, the Makarajyothi will appear at Ponnambalamedu and the Makara Sankrama star will be visible in the sky.

From 10 am today, pilgrims will not be allowed to travel from Nilakkal to Pampa, and from 11 am, entry from Pampa to the Sannidhanam will also be restricted. Only pilgrims with prior passes will be allowed. Devotees will be permitted to enter the Sannidhanam only after the Deeparadhana with the Thiruvabharanam.

Devotees can have darshan of Lord Ayyappa adorned with the Thiruvabharanam until the 17th. Neyyabhishekam will be performed until the 18th. On the 18th, there will be a procession from the Manimandapam to Sharamkuthi. On the night of the 19th at 10 pm, the grand Guruthi ritual will be held at Malikappuram. Devotees can have darshan until the temple closes on the night of the 19th. In the early hours of the 20th, the Thiruvabharanam casket will be taken back in procession. The temple will be closed after the Pandalam royal representative has darshan.