Hundreds of devotees thronged the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on Monday, marking the auspicious first day of the Malayalam month Vrischikam and the beginning of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The temple witnessed a heavy rush of pilgrims from various states, eagerly waiting to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Pilgrims dressed in traditional black attire carried the sacred irumudikkettu, a symbolic offering for the deity. Starting just before dawn, the temple gates opened at 3 a.m., officiated by the newly appointed melsanthi, E.D. Prasad Namboothiri, amid the melodious chants of Lord Ayyappa’s hymns echoing through the temple complex.
The auspicious opening ceremony included the presence of tantri Kantararu Mahesh Mohanaru and officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). TDB Secretary P.N. Ganeswaran Potti and Sabarimala Executive Officer O.G. Biju joined the festivities, highlighting the robust preparations made ahead of the high holy season.
The newly opened shrine witnessed long queues that stretched across the nadapandal, the sacred pathway leading to the temple, and the sopanam, the holy steps. After the opening, the rituals commenced with Nirmalya Abhishekam, Ganapathi Homam, and Neyyabhishekam, creating a spiritually enriching atmosphere.
As part of the pilgrimage schedule, the Sabarimala temple will have a unique timetable, closing at 1 p.m. and reopening at 3 p.m., eventually concluding the day with the chanting of “Harivarasanam,” the sacred lullaby of Lord Ayyappa, at 11 p.m. This year’s pilgrimage season will run for two months, attracting a multitude of devotees from across the globe.
Prior to Monday’s opening, a ceremonial opening took place on Sunday evening to welcome the pilgrims. The TDB anticipates even greater crowds this year, capping the number of daily pilgrims at 90,000 to ensure a smooth experience. This includes a mix of 70,000 through a virtual queue system and 20,000 available for spot bookings.
The Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season stands as a significant event in the religious calendar, drawing thousands who consider it a sacred journey. For many devotees, this pilgrimage symbolizes faith, devotion, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
