After partaking in the Pampasadhya (feast) with Lord Ayyappa, devotees climbed the mountain following the aarti ritual at Pampa. Today is the Makara Sankrama Puja and Makarajyothi darshan, which lakhs of devotees are eagerly waiting for in Sabarimala.

The purification rituals at Sabarimala Sannidhanam concluded on Tuesday under the supervision of Tantri (head priest) Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, with the idol purification also completed the same evening.

The Makarasankrama Pooja is scheduled for 3 pm on Wednesday. The Thiruvabharanam procession will reach Jyothimedu at 4 pm, where it will be received by Devaswom authorities and the Tantri. The procession will then carry the sacred jewellery to the Sannidhanam in a ceremonial celebration.

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The jewellery box will be placed at Thirumuttam (Sannidhanam), while other boxes will be taken to Malikappuram. At 6:30 pm, the Thiruvabharanam will be displayed, followed by the Deeparadhana ceremony, and the Makara Jyothi will be lit simultaneously at Ponnambalamedu.

Authorities have imposed restrictions on the Sabarimala Sannidhanam pilgrimage on Wednesday. Pilgrims will not be allowed to climb from Pampa from 11 am, and the Nilakkal-Pampa route will remain closed to traffic from 10 am.

The preparations and rituals mark the final stages of the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, drawing thousands of devotees to Sabarimala, one of India’s most revered Hindu pilgrimage centres.