Sabarimala ‘makaravilakku’ festival: Preparations on in full swing as number of devotees rise

Preparations for the Makaravilakku festival at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, scheduled for January 15, are in their final stages, according to temple authorities. “The focus is on ensuring that every devotee who visits Sabarimala for the Makaravilakku festival can have darshan and return safely,” said Arun S. Nair, the Sabarimala Administrative District Magistrate, in a release issued on Friday. Nair also noted that the temple is experiencing a heavy rush, with more than 90,000 devotees arriving daily.

As part of the festival, the ‘thiruvabharanam’ procession will begin from Pandalam on January 12. Authorities added that all government departments have increased their efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. The necessary arrangements for the procession will be completed by January 10, after a review by various departments.

An inspection led by the Pathanamthitta District Collector will be conducted in coordination with the police, forest, and health departments at key locations where devotees gather to witness the Makaravilakku (sacred light).

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The temple had reopened on December 30 after being closed following the ‘mandala puja’ on December 26, marking the conclusion of the 41-day-long first leg of the annual pilgrimage season.

Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has announced a temporary halt in issuing special passes for Sabarimala devotees who are arriving on foot through the forest route. This decision aims to reduce extended waiting times for darshan for those coming via Pamba using the virtual queue system and spot booking, as stated by Devaswom Board member A.

Ajikumar in a release. Previously, arrangements were made to provide special passes for 5,000 devotees walking through the forest path. However, due to a fivefold increase in the number of such pilgrims, the board has imposed restrictions on issuing these passes.

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As per the release, the board has decided to suspend the issuance of special passes until further notice. Special darshan arrangements for those trekking through the traditional forest routes had been introduced last month.

Pilgrims using this route were provided with special tags by the Forest department, allowing them benefits such as access to a separate queue for darshan. The Lord Ayyappa temple had reopened on December 30 in preparation for the Makaravilakku festival on January 14.