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Sabarimala Pilgrimage Season Ends With Over 50 Lakh Devotees This Year

The sacred Mandala-Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala temple has concluded with the closing of the sanctum sanctorum following traditional rituals. This year, officials reported a footfall of over 50 lakh devotees during the pilgrimage season. The festival's management has been under scrutiny, with the Kerala High Court directing the temple board to implement strict crowd control and virtual queuing systems. The ancient festival, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, originates from practices of the Malayaraya tribe.

Key Points: Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku Festival Concludes

  • Temple closed after final rituals
  • Over 50 lakh devotees this season
  • Kerala High Court mandated crowd control
  • Festival rooted in tribal tradition
2 min read

Kerala: Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season concludes, marking the closure of shrines after the major festival

The 41-day Sabarimala pilgrimage season ends with rituals. Over 50 lakh devotees visited amid court-mandated crowd management guidelines.

"more than 50 lakh devotees reported this year - Travancore Devaswom Board officials"

Pathanamthitta, January 20

The Mandala-Makaravilakku festival at the Sabarimala temple concluded with the closing of the sanctum sanctorum following age-old rituals.

The temple closed at 6:45 am on Tuesday, after the final rituals, including Vibhuti abhishekam, chanting of Harivarasanam, and Ganapathi Homam. At the eastern mandapam, Ganapathi Homam was performed according to traditional customs. Mandala-Makaravilakku is an annual festival held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in kerala.

The religious rituals refer to the sacred 41-day period of austerity (vratham) observed by devotees of Lord Ayyappa, culminating in the Mandala Pooja at Sabarimala. The practice was started by the Malayaraya tribe, believed to be the descendants of Malayaman Kaari in the forest of Ponnambalamedu (the place where Makaravilakku appears), and later continued by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

The ritual has been performed by the tribes for more than hundreds of years. According to officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), more than 50 lakh devotees reported this year.

The previous year, the Kerala High Court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to issue clear guidelines for unregistered pilgrims at Sabarimala. Further, insisted on scientific crowd management, limiting daily numbers, and ensuring everyone enters with valid time-slot passes, following criticism over overcrowding and poor management during peak seasons like the recent Makaravilakku festival.

The court mandates better planning, public awareness through SMS and virtual queues, and strict controls to prevent chaos and ensure devotees' safety. The festivals serve as powerful symbols of spiritual enlightenment and faith.

Millions of devotees seek blessing and take part in the rituals every year for individual prosperity and well being. The festival is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the celibate deity of the temple, honoured as the son of Lord Shiva and Vishnu's female avatar, Mohini.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
50 lakh devotees! That's incredible faith. But the High Court's intervention is absolutely necessary. Last time I went, the crowd management was chaotic and frankly unsafe. Virtual queues and time slots are a welcome move. Devotion shouldn't come at the cost of safety.
A
Aditya G
It's beautiful to read about the origins with the Malayaraya tribe. Often, we focus only on the rituals and forget the deep historical and cultural roots. Sabarimala is a unique confluence of tribal traditions, Hindu faith, and Kerala's natural beauty. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!
S
Sarah B
As someone from outside India, the scale of this pilgrimage is mind-boggling. 5 million people for a 41-day festival! The blend of strict personal austerity and massive communal celebration is fascinating. Hope the new crowd management rules make it safer for everyone involved.
M
Manish T
While the devotion is commendable, I hope the TDB and authorities also focus on the environmental impact. The forest around Ponnambalamedu is ecologically sensitive. Pilgrimage and sustainability must go hand-in-hand. More clean-up drives and strict plastic bans are needed.
K
Kavya N
The 41-day vratham is not just a ritual; it's a transformative journey of discipline and simplicity. Coming back from Sabarimala, you feel lighter, both spiritually and mentally. Glad the season went well. Already counting days for the next one! 🕉️

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