Hundreds of devotees flocked to the renowned Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on Monday, heralding the auspicious first day of the Malayalam month ‘Vrischikam’ and the start of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
Dressed in traditional black attire and carrying the sacred irumudikkettu, pilgrims from various parts of Kerala and beyond queued for hours to offer their prayers. The temple opened its portals at dawn under the watchful eye of the newly appointed melsanthi (chief priest) E.D. Prasad Namboothiri, as chants of Lord Ayyappa filled the air.
The ceremonial opening occurred in the presence of tantri (head priest) Kantararu Mahesh Mohanaru, according to a statement from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). TDB officials observed a heavy flow of pilgrims even before sunrise.
Devaswom Board Secretary P.N. Ganeswaran Potti and Sabarimala Executive Officer O.G. Biju also attended the ceremony. By 3 a.m., long queues stretched across the nadapandal (covered walkway) and sopanam (holy steps), with eager devotees awaiting their turn.
After the sanctum sanctorum’s opening, rituals such as Nirmalya Abhishekam, Ganapathi Homam, and Neyyabhishekam took place. The temple will close at 1 p.m., reopen at 3 p.m., and finally close at 11 p.m. with the famous chanting of “Harivarasanam,” the sacred lullaby of Lord Ayyappa.
The temple had ceremoniously opened on Sunday evening in anticipation of the two-month-long pilgrimage season expected to attract devotees from across the globe.
Additionally, the installation ceremony for the newly appointed melsanthi of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples occurred on Sunday. To manage the influx of pilgrims, the TDB has restricted the daily number to 90,000, comprising 70,000 through a virtual queue system and 20,000 via spot booking.
With countless devotees converging, the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season stands as a significant event on the religious calendar, combining tradition with spiritual devotion. The TDB continues to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims through various logistics and awareness campaigns.
This year’s pilgrimage season promises not only a spiritual experience but also showcases the unity and resilience of devotees who journey from far and wide, embracing their faith at this sacred site. The organized measures by the TDB aim to streamline the darshan experience, reducing waiting times and ensuring a smooth flow of pilgrims.
