WATCH: Thousands Of People Throng Sabarimala Temple Ahead Of Makaravilakku Festival

Situated on a hilltop in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, Lord Ayyappa temple attracts millions of devotees each year especially during the annual Makaravilakku festival.

Ahead of Makaravilakku festival, heavy rush was witnessed at Sabarimala Temple on Tuesday.

Source : PTI

In Sabarimala, Lord Ayyappa Temple is gearing up for the annual Makaravilakku festival, one of the most important events in its calendar. The temple situated on a hilltop in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district attracts millions of devotees each year.

Ahead of Makaravilakku festival, heavy rush was witnessed at Sabarimala Temple, located on the mountains of Western Ghats, on Tuesday.

Kerala | Heavy rush of devotees at Sabarimala Temple

(Visuals source: Public Relations Department, Kerala ) pic.twitter.com/eMzkWuC6QX

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Sabarimala Makaravilakku Festival

The Makaravilakku festival, marked by the sacred sighting of the Makara Jyothi, is set to take place on January 14 this year. The temple closed after Mandala Puja following 41-day first phase of the pilgrimage season. It reopened on December 30, 2024.

On January 12, 2025, an integral part of the festival, the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) procession, will commence from Pandalam and is expected to reach the temple on the festival day.

Pilgrims are traditionally required to observe 41 days of celibacy before embarking on their journey to Sabarimala. They reach the temple using either the traditional forest routes or the less physically demanding path from Pamba.

Meanwhile, the police have proposed discontinuing the spot-booking facility on Makaravilakku Day. This measure aims to prevent overcrowding and streamline the movement of pilgrims.

The officials explained that halting spot bookings would enable the establishment of a checkpoint at Nilackal, regulating the flow of devotees to Pampa, the base camp. The pilgrims will only be allowed to proceed to the temple after Thiruvabharanam procession reaches Sabarimala.

Additionally, the police, in coordination with other departments, plan to enforce restrictions on activities such as cooking and camping by devotees on the hillock. These measures are intended to enhance safety and ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.