Arrangements under way for Makaravilakku festival

Preparations are under way at Sabarimala to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the Makaravilakku festival.

To regulate the crowd, the authorities have capped Virtual Queue bookings at 35,000 for January 13, and further reduced the quota to 30,000 for the festival day on January 14. The police have clarified that only pilgrims with valid Virtual Queue bookings will be allowed to proceed for darshan on these days.

A comprehensive traffic management plan has been put in place. Pilgrims will not be permitted to travel from Nilackal to Pampa after 9 a.m. on January 14, and the ascent from Pampa to the hill will be closed to pilgrims after 10 a.m. Additionally, parking of vehicles at Pampa will be prohibited starting January 12.

Barricades are being installed at key points where the pilgrims will converge to witness Makarajyothi, the celestial light, while arrangements for adequate lighting and drinking water are also being finalised. In the Pandithavalam area, temporary pipelines with taps have been installed at 100 locations to ensure access to drinking water. Six new counters will be set up to distribute medicinal water along with biscuits to pilgrims.

In the view point opposite the BSNL office at Sannidhanam, undergrowth has been cleared to create a safe waiting area for pilgrims. Barricades will be installed here to eliminate the risk of accidents. The Forest department has reiterated that no temporary shelters (parnashalas) by pilgrims will be allowed within forested areas.

Considering a heavy rush along the stretch from Urakkuzhi to the Pandithavalam reservoir during the festival day, additional lights have been installed to provide adequate illumination. A ban on cooking has been imposed at all waiting points, while arrangements have been made to provide food to pilgrims. Free food will be distributed at Pandithavalam on January 13 and 14, with volunteers and other facilities already in place.

Meanwhile, the procession, carrying the sacred ornaments to adorn Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala for the Makaravilakku, will commence at 1 p.m. on Monday from the Valiya Koyikkal Dharma Sastha temple at Pandalam. The procession will be led by Punartham Nal Narayana Varma, a representative of the Pandalam palace.

In view of the intensifying summer and declining river levels, the Irrigation department has taken special measures to ensure sufficient water supply for pilgrims at Pampa and for drinking water distribution. Compared to previous years, water levels in the Pampa and Kakki rivers dropped sharply by mid-December this season. The department is relying on six check dams to meet water demands during the festival period.