Sabarimala Temple Concludes Mandala Deeksha, Prepares for Makara Vilakku Festival
Sabarimala: The revered Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple closed its doors yesterday afternoon following the conclusion of the Mandala Deeksha season. Temple authorities confirmed that the final Mandala Puja was conducted before the closure.
The temple will remain shut until December 29 and is set to reopen on December 30 at 5 PM for the highly anticipated Makara Vilakku season. Officials expect a significant influx of devotees during the Makara Vilakku festival, scheduled for January 14.
This year witnessed a remarkable turnout, with 3,239,756 devotees visiting the temple to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa, marking an increase from the 2,842,447 visitors recorded last year.
The Makara Vilakku festival, one of the most celebrated events at Sabarimala, is known for its grand rituals and the sacred Makara Jyothi sighting, drawing devotees from across the globe.
Temple authorities have urged devotees to plan their pilgrimage in adherence to guidelines to ensure a smooth and safe festival experience.
