WATCH: Sabarimala Temple Opens For Mandala-Makaravilakku Festival, Darshan To Begin Tomorrow

Sabarimala Mandala season will run until December 26, 2024, followed by the Makaravilakku festival from December 30, culminating on January 20, 2025.

Sabarimala temple is situated four kilometers uphill from Pamba in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, about 100 km from Thiruvananthapuram.

Source : ANI

The revered Sabarimala temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, opened its doors on Friday, November 15, 2024, marking the commencement of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku festival and the two-month-long pilgrimage season.

This year, the Kerala state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) have finalised the daily entry limit for devotees. A total of 80,000 pilgrims will be allowed darshan each day, with 70,000 pre-registered through online booking and 10,000 accommodated via spot booking.

Pilgrim entry commenced at 1 p.m. on Friday, and the formal handover of temple priestly duties for the next year occurred at 5 p.m. Darshan will officially begin early Saturday morning, continuing through the two-month festival period.

#WATCH | Sabarimala temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa opens today to mark the start of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku festival, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season pic.twitter.com/VfNWApxTkD

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2024

Kerala ADGP, S Sreejithb said, "We have prepared for this, this particular season of Mandala-Makaravilakku for the pilgrims with around 14,000 of police personnel being deployed in around five to six phases. Now, surprisingly this time, what has happened even in the first phase, that is the starting phase from 15 to 30th November, all the slots have already been filled."

"Last year, on the 16th of November, the numbers were just around 14,000. Now this has gone up to 70,000 tomorrow. And that 70,000 is being repeated till the 30th. So in the days to come, we envisage several pilgrims coming in full flow. They are prepared for the season now and we are also prepared," he said. The ADGP added that he believes that the pilgrimage season would be smooth with no difficulties.

The Pilgrimage Journey

Located in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 meters, Sabarimala temple is situated four kilometers uphill from Pamba in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, about 100 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The temple can only be reached on foot from the Pamba River.

Devotees traditionally undergo a rigorous 41-day penance before embarking on their pilgrimage. This involves adhering to a vegetarian diet, wearing a black dhoti, and abstaining from footwear, symbolizing spiritual discipline. Each pilgrim carries an Irumudi, a prayer kit containing coconuts and offerings, which is a prerequisite for ascending the temple’s sacred 18 steps to the sanctum sanctorum, or Sannidhanam.

The Mandala season will run until December 26, 2024, followed by the Makaravilakku festival from December 30, culminating on January 20, 2025.