Makaravilakku is an important festival in Kerala, that is held in Lord Ayyappa's temple in Sabarimala. This is celebrated on the day of Makara Sankranti festival, which is celebrated in the state. The sacred ornaments, called 'Thiruvabharanam', which is to be worn by the deity, is brought from the Pandalam Palace, which is located 80 kms away from the hills shrine.
Tens of thousands of Lord Ayyappa's devotees throng the temple to see Makara Jyothi, which appears on Ponnambalamedu hill. The Jyothi (flame) can be seen thrice between 6 pm to 8 pm on the hill. Earlier before Travancore Devaswom Board took over the temple's administration in the 1950s, Malaya Araya tribals performed this ritual.
As the temple is gearing up to celebrate Makaravillaku 2023, here's all you need to know.
Date And Time
Makaravillaku 2023 is celebrated on Saturday (Janury 14). The auspicious time for Makaravillaku is 8.57 PM.
History And Significance
The Makara Jyothi appears in the sky on Makar Sankranti, and it marks the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to Makara rashi (Capricorn). Makaravillakku, which falls on January 14, will be the first day of the Malayalam month of Makaram. Makara Jyothi marks the culmination of the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage.
In the evening on this day, Lord Ayyappa's sacred ornaments are brought to the hill shrine from the Pandalam palace, located around 80 km away, in a procession. The erstwhile Pandalam royal family is the custodian of these ornaments.
Makaravilakku is a light that is lit on Ponnambalamedu hill. The light is believed to have celestial origins. As per ritual, the chief priest of Pamba temple at the base of Sabarimala shows the light to devotees three times in the two-hour time duration. The Makaravilakku festival lasts seven days and many pilgrims stay back in Sabarimala until the festival is over and Kuruthi pooja is performed.