Sabarimala temple to open for Makaravilakku festival on Tuesday

Marking the start of the second leg of the annual pilgrimage season, the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple will be opened for the Makaravilakku festival on Tuesday.

Melsanti (head priest) E.D. Prasad will open the sanctum sanctorum at 5 p.m. in the presence of Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru. Pilgrims will be permitted to climb the 18 holy steps after the lighting of the Aazhi. A large influx of devotees, particularly from the neighbouring States, is expected during this period.

The temple was closed after the Mandalam pilgrimage season on December 27. During the 41-day Mandalam season, a total of 36.33 lakh devotees had darshan at the temple. Of these, 30.91 lakh had booked slots via virtual queue, 4,12,075 through spot bookings, and 1,29,933 came through the Pullumedu route. Last year, 32,49,756 devotees visited the temple during the same period.

The income generated during the season stood at ₹332.77 crore, up from the ₹297.06 crore last year.

Meanwhile, cleaning and sanitation operations across the Sabarimala hillock and surrounding areas are progressing, coordinated by various government departments with active participation of volunteers. The Health department has put in place a reserve list of doctors to handle emergencies, and medicine availability has been ensured.

According to Sabarimala Health Nodal Officer Shyam, ambulances and medical teams will be stationed at key locations, including the Pampa Hilltop, Triveni Bridge, Pampa KSRTC Stand, U-Turn, Chalakayam, Ilavumkal, Nellimala, Panjippara, Angamoozhi, and Valiyanavattam.

Special medical teams of doctors will also be deployed at the Health Inspector Quarters, near the Sannidhanam and around the Bailey Bridge. Doctors will also be assigned to the Pandithavalam emergency treatment centre. In addition to 12 ambulances already in service, 27 more will be deployed for the Makaravilakku festival. A special control room will operate at the Taluk and Pathanamthitta District Medical Offices.

During the Mandalam season, a total of 1.49 lakh pilgrims received medical care at government hospitals in the pilgrimage zone. The District Food Safety department has so far conducted 1,728 inspections across the zone. Notices were issued to 94 establishments for failing to maintain minimum standards, while 35 establishments with serious violations were fined, collecting a total of ₹2 lakh. As many as 803 food samples were sent for laboratory testing.