SABARIMALA: Restrictions will be imposed on virtual queue and spot booking at Sabarimala during the Makaravilakku festival days considering the heavy influx of devotees. These restrictions will be in effect from January 12 to 16. Starting today, spot booking has been limited to 5,000 per day. The restrictions have been introduced as per the directions of the police. Virtual queue bookings have been capped at 60,000 on January 12, 50,000 on January 13, and 40,000 on Makaravilakku day, January 14. No decision has been taken yet regarding the request of the Devaswom Board authorities to introduce restrictions on the 15th and 16th.

The Thiruvabharanam procession will begin from Pandalam at 1 PM on January 12. It will reach Nilakkal temple on January 14 early morning, Sabaripeedam at 4, Saramkuthy at 5:30 and Sannidhanam at 6:30 PM. At 6:45 PM, the sacred ornaments will be adorned, followed by the Deeparadhana. During this time, devotees can witness the Makaravilakku at Ponnambalamedu. The Makara Sankrama Pooja will take place on the same day between 8:50 and 9:30 AM.

On January 13 and 14, annadanam will be arranged at Pandithavalam for 5,000 people per meal, with food provided to a total of 25,000 devotees on those days. During the 41 days of the Mandala Kalam, 32,49,756 devotees visited Sabarimala. Last year, the number of devotees stood at 28.42 lakhs during the same period. The total revenue generated during this time was ₹297.06 crore.