Thousands of pilgrims converged in and around the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala on Wednesday to witness the sacred ‘Makarajyothi’ ritual, the spiritual high point of the annual Makaravilakku festival. The occasion, regarded as one of the most auspicious events in the Sabarimala pilgrimage calendar, was marked by deep devotion, elaborate rituals and stringent security arrangements at the hill shrine.

As dusk fell over the Western Ghats, devotees gathered at designated vantage points to witness the celestial and earthly manifestations associated with the ritual. Pilgrims first sighted the ‘Makarajyothi’ star in the eastern horizon, followed by the appearance of the ‘Makaravilakku’ light atop the Ponnambalamedu hills. The moment came shortly after the sanctum sanctorum of the temple reopened following the Deeparadhana pooja, triggering a wave of emotion and devotion among the faithful.

The air reverberated with chants of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” as devotees folded their hands in prayer, many with tears in their eyes. According to traditional belief, Lord Ayyappa reveals himself to devotees in the form of a star on this sacred evening, symbolising divine presence and blessing.

Arrival of Thiruvabharanam

Earlier in the evening, the ceremonial ‘thiruvabharana’ procession, carrying the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa, reached the temple premises around 5.30 pm. The procession had begun three days earlier from the Pandalam palace, the ancestral seat associated with Lord Ayyappa, and travelled through multiple locations before arriving at Sabarimala.

The sacred jewels, which include the gold crown and other ornaments to be adorned on the deity for Makarajyothi, were welcomed at the temple by senior officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). Amid traditional rituals and chants, the ornaments were taken into the sanctum sanctorum shortly before the Deeparadhana pooja, which commenced around 6.25 pm.

The arrival of the thiruvabharanam is considered a crucial moment of the Makaravilakku festival, and devotees believe that the deity’s adornment with the sacred jewels enhances the spiritual significance of the evening.

Heavy Security Deployment

Given the massive turnout and the historical sensitivity surrounding the Makarajyothi day, authorities implemented strict crowd control and security measures. Around 2,000 police personnel were deployed in and around the temple complex to manage crowds and ensure the safety of pilgrims on what is traditionally the most crowded day of the two-month-long pilgrimage season.

To regulate the flow of devotees, the number of pilgrims allowed entry through the virtual queue system was capped at 30,000. In addition, spot booking was restricted to 5,000 pilgrims, in accordance with directions issued by the Kerala High Court. These measures were aimed at preventing overcrowding and ensuring that the rituals could be conducted smoothly without compromising safety.

Officials closely monitored movement along key routes such as Pampa and Nilakkal, where congestion has been a concern in previous years. Barricades, queue systems and designated holding areas were put in place to manage the influx of pilgrims.

Transport and Crowd Management Measures

To facilitate the safe return of pilgrims and avoid traffic bottlenecks, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) arranged additional bus services from Pampa and Nilakkal. These services were deployed throughout the night to ensure that devotees could travel back safely after witnessing the rituals.

The Travancore Devaswom Board also made special arrangements to improve visibility of the ‘Makaravilakku’ for pilgrims. TDB president K Jayakumar said that specific vantage points had been installed to allow devotees to clearly view the light atop the Ponnambalamedu hills.

“Our aim was to ensure that pilgrims could witness the ritual in an orderly and safe manner,” Jayakumar said, adding that coordination between the temple authorities, police and transport officials played a key role in managing the crowds.

Record Pilgrim Footfall and Revenue

The Makarajyothi ritual capped a pilgrimage season that saw a significant rise in footfall at Sabarimala. According to figures shared by the TDB, around 5.1 million pilgrims offered prayers at the temple between November 16 and January 12 during the ongoing pilgrimage season. This marked an increase from the 4.8 million pilgrims recorded during the same period last year.

The surge in pilgrim numbers was also reflected in the temple’s revenue. During this period, the shrine generated ₹429 crore, up from ₹380 crore in the previous season. Officials attributed the increase to higher footfall, improved facilities and smoother crowd management, which encouraged more devotees to undertake the pilgrimage.

Spiritual Significance of Makarajyothi

For devotees of Lord Ayyappa, Makarajyothi represents the culmination of weeks of austerity, fasting and spiritual discipline observed during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season. Many pilgrims undertake the pilgrimage after observing a 41-day vratham, believing that witnessing the Makarajyothi brings spiritual fulfilment and divine blessings.

As the chants faded and pilgrims slowly began their return journeys, the atmosphere at Sabarimala remained charged with devotion and reverence. Despite the logistical challenges posed by the massive gathering, the smooth conduct of the rituals and the absence of major incidents were seen as a testament to careful planning and coordination.

With the Makarajyothi ritual successfully concluded, the focus will now shift to the remaining ceremonies of the Makaravilakku festival, even as authorities begin preparations for the next pilgrimage season at one of India’s most revered shrines.