Devotees gather in large numbers at the Sabarimala temple as it opens for the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku’ pilgrimage in Pathanamthitta on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Marking the beginning of the two-month annual pilgrimage season, the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple opened on Sunday for the Mandalam-Makaravilakku festivals.
In the presence of Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, the outgoing Melsanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri opened the sanctum at 5 p.m., followed by the opening of the Upadevata shrines and the transfer of the sacred fire to the Aazhi. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president K. Jayakumar was also present.
Later in the evening, the newly selected Melsanthis for the Ayyappa and Malikappuram Devi temples, E.D. Prasad and M.G. Manu Namboothiri, were formally installed. Starting Monday, when the pilgrimage season formally begins, they will assume charge for the coming year.
The opening day witnessed a heavy rush of the devout. Pilgrims who had begun gathering at Pampa since Saturday evening were allowed to trek to the hilltop from Sunday afternoon.
54 lakh pilgrims last season
The two-month pilgrimage attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. Last season, around 54 lakh pilgrims visited the hill shrine, and this year arrangements have been made to accommodate over 80 lakh visitors.
According to the TDB, all preparations at the Sannidhanam have been completed. Facilities ensuring uninterrupted supply of herbal drinking water have been put in place for devotees. Resting benches, drinking-water kiosks, and centres offering dried-ginger water and hot water have also been set up. Hundreds of sanitation workers will be deployed round the clock at Sabarimala and surrounding areas.
An array of toilets, including bio-toilets, have been installed at the Sannidhanam and along the trekking routes. Multilingual information boards have been placed at key points to assist pilgrims from across the country. Emergency medical centres have been opened by the Health department at various locations.
Strict crowd-management measures are in force through the virtual queue system to regulate the inflow of pilgrims. This year’s pilgrimage season comes amid heightened political controversy surrounding the alleged misappropriation of temple gold.
Darshan timings
Darshan timings are from 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Devotees are required to book their darshan slots online through www.sabarimalaonline.org.
The Mandala puja will be held on December 27. The temple will reopen for the Makaravilakku festival on the evening of December 30. The Makaravilakku ritual is scheduled for January 14, and darshan will be permitted until January 19. The shrine will close on the morning of January 20.
Published – November 16, 2025 08:32 pm IST
