Sabarimala: A deep sense of devotion and anticipation fills the hills of Sabarimala as lakhs of pilgrims, observing rigorous penance, await the sacred Makara Sankranti rituals and the divine Makarajyothi darshan today. Considered the spiritual pinnacle of the pilgrimage season, the ceremonies draw devotees from across the country.
The temple will open at 2.45 p.m., followed by the Sankrama Abhishekam at the auspicious time of 3.08 p.m. The highlight of the day will unfold in the evening, when the sacred Thiruvabharanam, brought in a grand procession from the Pandalam Palace, will be adorned on Lord Ayyappa during the Deeparadhana at 6.40 p.m. At the same moment, the revered Makaravilakku will be lit atop Ponnambalamedu, marking the culmination of the holy observances.
Earlier at 6.20 p.m., the Thiruvabharanam procession will be ceremonially received by Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, Travancore Devaswom Board President K. Jayakumar, and Board members at the Sannidhanam. The sacred casket will be received at the Sopanam by Thantri Kandaru Mahesh Mohanar and Melsanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri.
In compliance with High Court directives, entry to the Sannidhanam on Makaravilakku day has been restricted to 35,000 devotees. To ensure a smooth return journey after darshan, elaborate transport arrangements have been made, including the deployment of around 1,000 KSRTC buses.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has stated that all preparations are in place for the smooth conduct of the festival. This year, strict controls have been imposed on viewing the Makarajyothi from the temple courtyard and flyovers, with access limited to those holding special photo identity passes issued by the Board. These passes are non-transferable.
Authorities have urged pilgrims not to rush while descending after the darshan, assuring them that additional KSRTC services have been arranged at Pampa to manage crowds effectively. Addressing past concerns over accommodation, the Board has introduced an online room booking system this season.
Looking ahead, the Devaswom Board announced that a comprehensive review meeting involving all departments will be held on February 6 to evaluate this year’s pilgrimage and plan for the next Sabarimala season.
