Sabarimala Temple Closes After Mandala-Makaravilakku Pilgrimage Season

Sabarimala: The Sabarimala temple was closed on Tuesday morning, marking the peaceful conclusion of the over two-month-long Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.

The temple doors were closed at 6.45 am after darshan by the Pandalam Royal Representative, Punartham Nal Narayana Varma. Earlier, the shrine was opened at 5 am for the final rituals of the season.

As part of the customary rites, Ganapathi Homam was performed at the eastern mandapam. This was followed by the return journey of the Thiruvabharanam to the Pandalam Srambikkal Palace. According to Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials, a 30-member team led by Periyaswami Maruthuvana Sivankutty is carrying the sacred ornaments along the same route they had taken earlier and is expected to reach Pandalam on January 23.

Chief Priest (Melsanthi) E D Prasad Namboothiri conducted the Vibhuti abhishekam on the idol of Lord Ayyappa. The idol was adorned with a Rudraksha mala, and a yoga staff was placed in the deity’s hand. After the chanting of the sacred Harivarasanam, the lamps were extinguished and the sanctum sanctorum was closed.

The bunch of keys was then handed over to the Pandalam Royal Representative. After descending the holy eighteen steps and completing the customary rituals, the Royal Representative handed over the keys to Sabarimala Administrative Officer S Srinivasan in the presence of Devaswom Executive Officer O G Biju and the Melsanthi. TDB officials said the money pouch meant for the expenses of the monthly pooja was also handed over as per tradition.

With the Royal Representative leaving for the Pandalam Palace, the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season officially came to an end. TDB officials said the season concluded smoothly with the cooperation of devotees, the police and various government departments.