The 41-day Mandala-Makaravilakku Mahotsavam at the Sabarimala temple concluded on January 20, 2025, with the ceremonial closing of the temple gates. The temple was officially closed at 6:30 AM after the darshan of Thrikkettanal Rajaraja Varma, a representative of the Pandalam Royal Family, marking the end of the grand religious festivities.
The final rituals of the Mahotsavam, one of the most significant events in the Hindu calendar, drew millions of devotees to the shrine located in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The temple had been bustling with fervent pilgrims who had arrived to offer their prayers during the auspicious period.
As part of the traditional procedure, the temple gates were locked and all offerings were completed. The temple will remain closed until the beginning of the next pilgrimage season, in line with customary practices.
The devotees, who had witnessed the culmination of the holy festival, were left with a sense of fulfillment, having experienced the divine presence of Lord Ayyappa during one of the largest and most sacred congregations in India.
