Sabarimala Temple Opens for Makaravilakku Festival

The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala has been opened for the Makaravilakku festival on Sunday. Melsanthi Damodharan Potti , accompanied by Tantri Kandararu Rajeevararu , opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5.30 p.m.

Pettathullal ritual at Erumely Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Thiruvabharanam procession from Pandalam Valiyakoickal Sree Dharam Sastha Temple and Makaravilakku are the important events of the festival.

The customary Pettathullal ritual at Erumely Sree Dharma Sastha Temple will be held on January 11. Pettathullal procession of Ambalappuzha team, led by periyor Chandrasekharan Nair, will begin from Erumley Kochambalam at 12 noon, after the spoting of ‘Krishnaparunthu’ on the sky above the temple. The Pettathullal procession of Alangattu team, led by Vijayakumar, will be held at 2.30 pm.

The customary procession carrying the Thiruvabharanam, the attire in gold to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa during Makaravilakku pooja, will be taken out from Pandalam Valiyakoickal Sree Dharma Sastha Temple at 1 pm after the spotting of ‘Krishnaparunthu’ on the sky above the temple. The procession will reach Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple on January 14.

After adorning the Thiruvabharanam on the idol of Lord Ayyappa, deeparadhana will be held at 6.30 pm. During the deepardhana time, Makarajyothi star will be visible on the sky, to the south-east of the temple. The hill shrine will be closed on January 20 at 7 am marking an end of this pilgrim season.