The 41-day Mandala pilgrimage season at the revered Sabarimala temple concluded on a high note this Saturday, with authorities expressing satisfaction over the smooth conduct of darshan for the massive influx of devotees. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president K. Jayakumar stated that, barring some initial confusion, the season proceeded seamlessly under Lord Ayyappa's blessings, crediting the coordinated efforts of police and staff.
Record-Breaking Devotee Turnout and Revenue
Over 30 lakh (3 million) pilgrims visited the hill shrine over the 40-day period leading up to the finale. This tremendous footfall translated into significant financial offerings, with the temple revenue until Friday standing at an impressive Rs 332.77 crore. Jayakumar highlighted that this collection has surpassed the income from the previous Mandalam festival season, which he attributed to the increased faith and devotion of the Ayyappa devotees.
Enhancements in Pilgrim Amenities and Immediate Grievance Addressal
The TDB president outlined several improvements made for pilgrim welfare during this season. Notable changes were introduced in the annadanam (free food service), including the addition of sadya (feast) to provide tastier meals to those visiting the deity. He emphasized that while the change might seem minor, the intention behind it—to serve better food—was paramount.
Jayakumar also detailed a proactive policy adopted by the board and its staff, led by the executive officer, to address complaints immediately. "Complaints are natural in a place with so many visitors," he said, adding that timely suggestions from the court were fully adhered to, which helped prevent major criticisms.
Addressing the Aravana Prasadam Issue and Future Plans
One point of contention during the season was the distribution limit for the coveted aravana prasadam. Initially, devotees could purchase 30 or 40 tins, which was later reduced to 20 and then 10, causing disappointment. The board has taken note of this issue.
To ensure ample supply for the upcoming Makaravilakku festival, aravana production will be ramped up starting from the temple's closure on Saturday. The goal is to build a reserve stock of 12 lakh tins before the temple reopens on December 30 at 5 PM. Jayakumar assured that if the limit of 10 tins per devotee continues, there should be no shortage. Furthermore, the board will discuss arrangements in its December 29 meeting to facilitate sending more prasadam via post to needy devotees after January 20.
Preparations for Makaravilakku Gain Momentum
With the Mandala season over, focus has swiftly shifted to the next major event. A review meeting for the Makaravilakku preparations was chaired by Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan at Pamba on Friday. Jayakumar stressed that cooperation from the forest department is crucial, especially for routes like Pullumedu and Kanana Patha. A follow-up meeting under the leadership of the forest minister is scheduled for Monday in Thiruvananthapuram to resolve related issues within the next 15 days.
The concluding day saw the Mandala puja performed between 10:10 AM and 11:30 AM. The temple doors were finally shut at 10 PM with the rendering of Harivarasanam, marking the end of a successful and spiritually significant season, with eyes now set on the next chapter of pilgrimage.
