Hundreds of devotees thronged the famed Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala early on Monday, marking the auspicious first day of the Malayalam month ‘Vrischikam’ and the commencement of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. This year, the Kerala government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) prepared extensively to manage the large influx of pilgrims.
Devotees dressed in traditional black attire carried the sacred irumudikkettu, a traditional offering, as they patiently queued for hours to offer prayers. The temple opened its portals at 3 a.m., officiated by newly appointed melsanthi (chief priest) E.D. Prasad Namboothiri, amid the serene sound of hymns dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.
The temple opening occurred in the presence of tantri (head priest) Kantararu Mahesh Mohanaru. TDB officials reported that the flow of pilgrims had begun well before dawn, signaling a vibrant start to this pilgrimage season.
Devaswom Board Secretary P.N. Ganeswaran Potti and Sabarimala Executive Officer O.G. Biju were also present during the ceremonial opening. As the shrine opened, long queues stretched across the nadapandal (covered walkway) and sopanam (holy steps), highlighting the significant number of devotees eager to seek blessings.
Following the opening of the sanctum sanctorum, traditional rituals including Nirmalya Abhishekam, Ganapathi Homam, and Neyyabhishekam took place. The temple will close at 1 p.m., reopen at 3 p.m., and close for the day at 11 p.m. with the chanting of “Harivarasanam”, a sacred lullaby dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.
The ceremony preceding the opening of the temple took place on Sunday evening, setting the stage for the anticipated two-month-long pilgrimage season. The TDB has implemented measures to control the rush this year, capping daily pilgrims at 90,000, which includes 70,000 allocated to the virtual queue system and an additional 20,000 for spot booking.
The Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage has immense significance for Kerala’s Hindu community. This year, authorities have made arrangements to cater to thousands of devotees expected to participate in the rituals.
Despite the anticipated rush, officials remain committed to ensuring a smooth experience for all devotees, emphasizing safety and accessibility. The pilgrimage season is an integral part of Kerala’s cultural and spiritual landscape, with an emphasis on communal harmony and tradition.