The sacred hills of Sabarimala have once again come alive with spiritual fervor as the famous Ayyappa temple opened its doors for the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. Thousands of devotees began their journey to the hill shrine located in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, marking the start of two months of intense religious observance.
Temple Opens Amid Traditional Ceremonies
The temple gates opened at 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 16, following the traditional rituals performed by the temple priests. The ceremony began with the chief priest, Kandararu Rajeevaru, conducting the Ashtadravya Ganapati homam at the Namaskara Mandapam, seeking divine blessings for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage season.
As dusk settled over the Western Ghats, the sanctum sanctorum was opened for darshan after the Deeparadhana ceremony. The sight of the adorned deity brought tears of joy to countless devotees who had been waiting for this moment throughout the year. The temple will remain open continuously until December 26, covering the entire Mandala season, before closing briefly and reopening for the Makaravilakku festival.
Devotees Flock to Sacred Hills
From early morning, pilgrims started arriving at the base camps in Pamba and Nilackal, the main transit points to the temple. The traditional forest path, known as the traditional route, witnessed a steady stream of devotees carrying the sacred Irumudi kettu on their heads while chanting "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa."
Many pilgrims had been camping at various base camps for several days, observing the mandatory 41-day vritham (austerities) that include strict vegetarian diet, celibacy, and daily prayers. The temple administration, in coordination with the Kerala Police and various government departments, has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims.
Special arrangements have been made for elderly devotees and those with health conditions, including medical facilities at multiple points along the route. The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, has deployed additional staff and volunteers to assist pilgrims throughout their journey.
Pilgrimage Season Structure and Significance
The Sabarimala pilgrimage season is divided into two main parts: the Mandala season which began on November 16, and the Makaravilakku season which will commence after a brief closure. The temple will close on December 26 after the Mandala pooja and reopen on December 30 for the Makaravilakku festival, concluding on January 14, 2025.
This annual pilgrimage holds immense significance for devotees of Lord Ayyappa, who believe that undertaking the journey and observing the strict vritham helps in spiritual purification. The challenging trek through the forest and the climb up the 18 sacred steps (Pathinettam Padi) symbolizes the devotee's journey toward spiritual enlightenment.
The Kerala government has implemented a virtual queue system to manage the crowd effectively and ensure a smooth darshan experience for all pilgrims. Devotees are advised to make necessary arrangements through the official Sabarimala website and follow the guidelines issued by the authorities.
As the pilgrimage season progresses, the temple is expected to witness an increasing number of devotees, particularly during weekends and special pooja days. The authorities have assured that all necessary measures are in place to handle the anticipated rush while maintaining the spiritual atmosphere of the sacred shrine.
