Sabarimala: On the auspicious occasion of Vishu, the distribution of gold lockets bearing the image of Lord Ayyappa, worshipped at the Sabarimala shrine, officially began on Monday. Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan inaugurated the ceremony at the foot of the temple's flagpole early this morning.

The lockets are being distributed to devotees who pre-booked them online via the official website [sabarimalaonline.org]. These sacred lockets, which have been worshipped at the Sabarimala temple, are available for collection at the administrative office in Sannidhanam after payment.

Currently, the lockets are available in three sizes:  
- 2 grams – ₹19,300  
- 4 grams – ₹38,600  
- 8 grams (1 sovereign) – ₹77,200  

A fixed booking amount of ₹2,000 is required at the time of reservation.

At present, two authorised jewellery agencies are manufacturing the lockets using gold sourced from two selected jewellers. However, the Travancore Devaswom Board has plans to produce the lockets independently in the future. Board President P S Prashanth stated that the lockets may eventually be made using gold donated by devotees, subject to court approval.

For now, the only way to obtain a locket is through online booking. Devotees must collect their booked lockets in person from the Sannidhanam administrative office.