Heavy Rush at Sabarimala for Mandalam-Makaravilakku Season

Hundreds of devotees thronged the famed Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala, marking the auspicious first day of the Malayalam month ‘Vrischikam’ and the commencement of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season on Monday.

Dressed in traditional black attire and carrying the sacred irumudikkettu, pilgrims from within Kerala and other states queued for hours to offer prayers. The temple portals opened at 3 a.m. by the newly appointed melsanthi (chief priest) E.D. Prasad Namboothiri amid chants of Lord Ayyappa’s hymns echoing throughout the complex.

The opening ceremony, held in the presence of tantri (head priest) Kantararu Mahesh Mohanaru, saw a heavy flow of pilgrims even before dawn, according to officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

Devaswom Board Secretary P.N. Ganeswaran Potti and Sabarimala Executive Officer O.G. Biju were also present during the ceremony. Long queues stretched across the nadapandal (covered walkway) and sopanam (holy steps) as devotees eagerly awaited entry.

Following the opening of the sanctum sanctorum, rituals such as Nirmalya Abhishekam, Ganapathi Homam, and Neyyabhishekam were performed. Notably, the temple will close at 1 p.m., reopen at 3 p.m., and finally close at 11 p.m. with the chanting of “Harivarasanam,” the sacred lullaby of Lord Ayyappa.

As preparations for the two-month-long pilgrimage season concluded, the temple had ceremonially opened on Sunday evening, welcoming devotees from across the globe. The TDB implemented a cap on daily pilgrim numbers at 90,000 to manage the expected rush.

This includes 70,000 pilgrims via the virtual queue system and another 20,000 through spot booking. The anticipation builds as the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season continues, attracting thousands who seek spiritual rejuvenation at this revered site.