The renowned Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala will open on the evening of December 30 for the annual ‘makaravilakku’ festival, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) announced on Monday. This festival marks the culmination of the over two-month-long pilgrimage season and will be observed on January 14, 2026.

According to the TDB, the temple will open at 5 pm on December 30, with the sanctum sanctorum being unlocked by ‘melsanthi’ E D Prasad in the presence of Tantri Mahesh Mohanaru. Following the lighting of the sacred fire at the Sannidhanam, pilgrims will be allowed to climb the Pathinettam Padi to have darshan of Lord Ayyappa.

The temple had earlier closed at 10 pm on December 27, marking the end of the 41-day Mandala Puja period, following the traditional rendition of Harivarasanam.

Preparations and Pilgrim Management

The makaravilakku festival is one of the most significant annual events at Sabarimala, attracting lakhs of devotees from across India. In preparation, large-scale cleanliness drives have been conducted across Sabarimala and its surrounding areas, involving multiple government departments and volunteer groups.

The cleaning operations, carried out jointly by the police, excise, TDB, and Visuddhi Sena sanitation volunteers, covered both sides of Swami Ayyappan Road, the stretch from Neelimala gate to Sabaripeedh, the surroundings of Pampa, and the route leading to the Sannidhanam temple complex.

According to TDB figures, a total of 36,33,191 devotees visited the shrine from the beginning of the Mandala Puja season until the closing of the sanctum on December 27. Of these, 30,91,183 devotees used online booking, 4,12,075opted for spot booking, and 1,29,933 came via the Pulmedu route. Compared to the previous year, which saw 32,49,756 visitors, this year witnessed an increase of 3,83,435 devotees, the TDB said.

Health and Emergency Arrangements

The Kerala Health Department has put in place extensive medical and emergency arrangements for the makaravilakku festivities. Authorities have prepared a reserve list of doctors to handle emergencies, and medicines will be available at all hospitals and treatment centres in and around Sabarimala.

Ambulances and medical teams will be stationed at key points, including Pampa Hilltop, Triveni Bridge, Pampa KSRTC stand, and Chalakayam. Mobile medical teams and ambulance services have also been arranged along the Thiruvabharanam procession route from Pandalam to Pampa and for the return journey.

Food Safety Measures

The District Food Safety Department conducted 1,728 inspections at Nilakkal, Pampa, and Sannidhanam during the recently concluded Mandala festival to ensure food safety. District Assistant Food Safety Commissioner Sujith Pererastated that stringent inspections will continue during the makaravilakku festival to maintain hygiene and safety standards for pilgrims.

The preparations reflect the TDB’s efforts to ensure a safe, orderly, and spiritually fulfilling experience for the large number of devotees expected to visit Sabarimala for the makaravilakku celebrations.