- By Kamal Kumar
- Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sabarimala Sree Ayyappaswamy Temple, the revered Hindu shrine, is set to be opened on Friday, November 15, evening to mark the start of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku festival. Thousands of devotees from Kerala and neighbouring states gather to participate in the revered Mandala worship festival and seek Lord Ayyappa's blessings.
Mandala-Makaravilakku is an annual pilgrimage at Sabarimala Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. While it starts in November, it ends in Makaravilakku, marked by rituals, lights, and celebrations in January spanning 41 days.
Mandala-Makaravilakku Festival Full Schedule
The Mandala pilgrimage is set to begin this Saturday and will continue until December 26, ending with a special ceremony featuring the “thanka anki” (golden ornaments) from the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple.
The second phase, the Makaravilakku festival, will start on December 30 and conclude on January 20, 2025, with the main event, Makaravilakku Day, occurring on January 15, 2025, attracting pilgrims from all over the country.
Sabarimala Temple Timing And Routes
Devotees can begin their ascent from the base camp at Pampa to Sannidhanam, the hill shrine, daily from 1 pm onwards. This schedule is set by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to facilitate safe and organised pilgrim movement.
The Kerala High Court has instructed the TDB to issue clear guidelines for managing pilgrims arriving without prior registration, addressing logistical concerns.
KSRTC buses are asked to strictly adhere to safety regulations, ensuring all passengers are seated for secure transportation.
The temple will remain open for two phases in a single day for 9 hours each to accommodate the large number of devotees.
Morning session: 3 am to 1 pm
Evening session: 3 pm to 11 pm
Sabarimala Online, On-site Booking
The TDB offers 70,000 daily slots via online registration for pilgrims, but November is fully booked. An extra 10,000 spots can be reserved on-site at Pampa, Erumeli, and Vandiperiyar with a valid ID like Aadhaar or voter ID.