'Pamba Vilakku and Sadya' on January 13

SABARIMALA: Pamba Vilakku and Sadya (light and feast) will be held on 13th of January. Devotees do the traditional ‘Petta Thullal’ at Erumeli and trek Karimala to participate in this ritual.

Sadya will be at Pamba Manappuram. It’s believed that Lord Ayyappa will be amongst the devotees here. Pamba Vilakku is at 6 p.m. Pamba river will be lit up with hundreds of ‘diyas’. ‘Swami Saranam’ chants will compliment this ritual.

Special rites before Makarasamkrama pooja and vilakk will start today. Makarasamkrama pooja is on 14th January at 7.52 p.m. Ghee brought by first time pilgrims from Kowdiar palace will be used for Neyyabhishekam at this time. ‘Sandhya Deeparadhana’ will be held after Ayyappa idol is decorated with ‘Thiruvabharanam’( holy ornaments). Makarajyothi will appear shortly after this at Ponnambalamedu. This is one of the rare Samkramas as it is at night.