The Makara Vilakku offered a divine spectacle to thousands of devotees on the evening of Makara Sankranti at Ponnambalamedu. Amid chants of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” and folded hands, the sacred Makara Jyothi appeared at 6:41 pm, blessing the devotees. The celestial light was witnessed at the very moment when the Ayyappa idol was adorned with the sacred Thiruvabharanam (holy ornaments) and Deeparadhana was performed. The Jyothi appeared two more times, filling the Sannidhanam and its surroundings with deep spiritual fervour.
The ceremonial procession carrying the Thiruvabharanam, which began from the Pandalam Valiya Koyikkal Palace, was received at Sharankuthy at 5:50 pm under the leadership of Devaswom Board officials. The procession reached the Sannidhanam via the sacred eighteen steps and was welcomed at the base of the flagstaff by Minister for Cooperation and Devaswom V.N. Vasavan, Devaswom Board President K. Jayakumar, MLAs K.U. Janish Kumar and Pramod Narayan, District Collector S. Prem Krishnan, along with Devaswom Board members and officials.
When the Thiruvabharanam casket reached the Sopanam through the Balikkalpura, Thantri Kandarar Mahesh Mohanar and Melsanthi E.D. Prasad Namboothiri received it and carried it into the sanctum sanctorum. The temple doors were then closed for Deeparadhana. As the sacred ornaments were adorned on the Ayyappa idol and Deeparadhana was performed, the Makara Jyothi became visible at Ponnambalamedu. Darshan for devotees with the idol adorned in Thiruvabharanam then commenced.
Devotees can have darshan of the Lord adorned with Thiruvabharanam until the night of January 17. Neyyabhishekam will be performed until 10 am on January 18. Darshan will be available to devotees until the night of January 19, and the temple doors will close at 6:30 am on January 20.
As per High Court directives, on Makara Vilakku day, entry to the Sannidhanam was permitted for 30,000 devotees through the virtual queue system and 5,000 devotees through spot booking. Devotees were not allowed to proceed from Nilakkal to Pampa after 10 am, and from Pampa to the Sannidhanam after 11 am. Strict security arrangements and flawless coordination ensured a safe and orderly Makara Jyothi darshan at Sabarimala. Thousands of devotees who received the divine blessing descended the hill safely.
From January 15 to 18, 50,000 devotees will be allowed entry through the virtual queue and 5,000 through spot booking each day. On January 19, 30,000 devotees will be permitted through the virtual queue and 5,000 through spot booking.
