Hundreds of devotees thronged the iconic Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala on Monday, marking the auspicious first day of the Malayalam month ‘Vrischikam’ and the commencement of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. This revered festival attracts thousands of pilgrims who seek blessings and fulfillment of their vows.
Pilgrims dressed in traditional black attire, carrying the sacred irumudikkettu, queued for hours to offer their prayers. The temple opened its doors at 3 a.m., officiated by the newly appointed melsanthi (chief priest) E.D. Prasad Namboothiri, amid the melodic chants of Lord Ayyappa’s hymns vibrating through the air.
The opening ceremony witnessed the presence of tantri (head priest) Kantararu Mahesh Mohanaru and other officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). Officials confirmed that a heavy influx of pilgrims began well before dawn, a testament to the shrine’s enduring significance during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season.
Devaswom Board Secretary P.N. Ganeswaran Potti, along with Sabarimala Executive Officer O.G. Biju, graced the occasion as well. As the temple opened, pilgrims experienced extensive queues stretching across the nadapandal (covered walkway) and sopanam (holy steps), emphasizing the deep devotion associated with this sacred site.
After the temple’s sanctum sanctorum opened, rituals like Nirmalya Abhishekam, Ganapathi Homam, and Neyyabhishekam took place. The temple has structured its timing, closing at 1 p.m., reopening at 3 p.m., and finally shuttering at 11 p.m. with the chanting of “Harivarasanam”, the revered lullaby of Lord Ayyappa.
In a ceremonial event on Sunday evening, the temple opened ahead of the two-month-long pilgrimage season expected to draw devotees from across the globe. The devotion witnessed during this period underscores the spiritual significance of the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season in India.
Additionally, the installation ceremony for the newly appointed melsanthi of Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples was conducted to coincide with the season’s opening. To ensure smooth management amid the expected rush, the TDB has capped the daily number of pilgrims at 90,000, which includes 70,000 via the virtual queue system and 20,000 through spot booking. This systematic approach aims to enhance the pilgrimage experience and maintain the spiritual ambience.
