Sabarimala Sees Heavy New Year Rush as Makaravilakku Pilgrimage Continues

Sabarimala: The Sabarimala Sannidhanam witnessed heavy crowds of devotees on New Year’s Day, with long queues stretching from Marakkootam up to the nadappanthal. More than 25,000 pilgrims reached the hill shrine by Thursday morning, as a steady inflow of devotees was reported from the early hours of the day.

Following the opening of the temple for the Makaravilakku festival, a total of 1,20,256 pilgrims had darshan up to 5 pm on Wednesday. The temple opened at 5 pm on Tuesday, the first day of the season, when 57,256 devotees offered prayers. Of them, 20,477 pilgrims arrived through the virtual queue system, 4,401 through spot booking, and 4,283 climbed the hill via the traditional forest route. The heavy rush continued on Wednesday, the second day of the Makaravilakku season.

There has also been a noticeable rise in the number of pilgrims using forest routes. On Wednesday alone, 4,898 devotees reached the Sannidhanam through the Sathram–Pullumedu route, which is open between 7 am and 12 noon. Over the past two days, 16,411 pilgrims arrived via the Mukkuzi route.

Amid the ongoing pilgrimage, the Sannidhanam marked the arrival of the New Year in a simple and calm manner. Kerala Police personnel on duty, along with members of the Fire Force, Rapid Action Force and other services, welcomed the New Year by lighting camphor arranged in the words “Happy New Year.” The camphor was lit at midnight by Sabarimala Chief Police Coordinator ADGP S Sreejith. Many devotees gathered nearby joined in by exchanging New Year wishes and chanting “Swami Saranam.”

With the opening of the temple for the Makaravilakku pilgrimage, Neyyabhishekam also commenced at the Sannidhanam. The ritual was conducted from 3.30 am to 7 am and again from 8 am to 11 am. Neyyabhishekam, one of the principal offerings to Lord Ayyappa, will continue until January 18.

Extensive security and crowd management arrangements have been put in place by various departments to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. The Makaravilakku festival will be observed on January 14. Pilgrims will be allowed darshan until 11 pm on January 19, and the temple will close at 6.30 am on January 20.