Sabarimala: Devotees witnessed the auspicious 'Makaravilakku', the ritualistic 'deeparadhana' (aarthi) held at Ponnambalamedu, the hill facing the shrine here, in the midst of prayer chants for Lord Ayyappa. All the devotees assembled at Ponnambalamedu were looking patiently at the sky when the ‘Jyothi’ appeared.
The Devaswom authorities welcomed the ‘Thiruvabharana’ procession at Saramkuthi in connection with the Makaravilakku. The members of the royal family did not accompany the procession this year. And hence, the rituals that are usually held in the presence of the royal family representative, did not take place.
The Tantri and Chief priest adorned the Ayyappa idol with the Thiruvabharanam after it reached Sannidhanam. Following the Deeparadhana, Jyothi appeared on the sky 3 times.
Only 5000 devotees were allowed inside Sannidhanam this time due to COVID protocol. Devotees were only allowed to watch the Jyothi from Sannidhanam.
