Over 27,000 devotees reach Sabarimala Temple within hours on Makaravilakku

Sabarimala: The Sabarimala temple saw a record-breaking number of devotees on Makaravilakku, with the figure reaching 27,949 by 9 AM on Tuesday, according to the Kerala Public Relations Department. The hill shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa was bustling with pilgrims offering prayers on one of the most significant days of the pilgrimage season.

The highlight of Makaravilakku is the temple's reception of the procession carrying the sacred jewels, the 'Thiruvabharnam,' which is considered the most important event of the day. This year, the sacred jewels, which are transported in three separate boxes, began their journey from Pandalam on January 12, in accordance with the tradition that the Thiruvabharnam departs for Sabarimala two days before Makaravilakku. The procession made stops at various temples before finally reaching Sannidhanam in the evening hours of Makaravilakku.

The procession leaves the Valiya Koyikkal Temple in Pandalam after the darshan of devotees and various ceremonies on Day 1. After passing through several temples, it rests at the Ayiroor Puthiyakavu temple before continuing its journey on Makaravilakku day. On this day, the procession travels through Laha, Pandithavalam, Cherianavattom, Neelimala, and Apachimedu, before arriving at the Sannidhanam via Saramkuthi. At the temple, priests then adorn the deity with the sacred jewels brought by the procession, followed by the traditional aarti.

This year’s pilgrimage season has seen an unprecedented number of devotees. From November 15, when the pilgrimage began, to January 5, a total of 39,02,610 devotees visited the shrine, surpassing last year’s figure of 35,12,691. The Makaravilakku season alone witnessed 6,22,849 pilgrims visiting between December 30 and January 5, as per the state police media center's report.

In response to the heavy influx of devotees during Makaravilakku, the Government of Kerala implemented measures to manage the crowd efficiently. As part of efforts to prevent overcrowding, the government decided to limit the spot booking facility at Sannidhanam to 5,000 persons per day from January 8 to 15. This decision was made under the direction of the Kerala High Court to ensure better crowd management during the festival season.

Further enhancing the pilgrimage experience, the Kerala government has approved a comprehensive layout plan for the Sabarimala pilgrimage site. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the blueprint, which will cost an estimated Rs 778.17 crore. The plan aims to enhance safety, streamline pilgrim movement, and develop Sabarimala as a global heritage hub. (ANI)