Thiruvananthapuram: Makaravilakku Mahotsavam is being celebrated with great devotion at Sabarimala today. Chants of ‘Swamiye Saranamayappa’ is revebrating all through the sacred hill. Devotees are thronging in and around the Sannidhanam to take a place to have a glimpse of the divine Makarajyothi. It is estimated that around 200,000 people will arrive at Sannidhanam and its surroundings to see Makaravilakku. Strong security arrangements have been made in the temple premises.
The Makara Sankramam was at 2.46 am today. The ghee from the Ayyappa Mudra sent by the Kowdiar Palace through a special emissary was anointed on the idol of Lord Ayyappa. The Thiruvabharanam procession which started from the Pandalam palace, will reach Saramkuthi around 5.30 pm today. The Devaswom representatives wearing garlands worshipped at the shrine, will welcome the Thiruvabharanam procession.
After this, Thiruvabharanam which will be brought in front of the shrine, will be received by Thanthri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru and Melshanthi PN Mahesh Namboothiri. At 6.30 in the evening, the Deeparadhana will be performed after adorning the idol of Lord Ayyappa with the Thiruvabharanam. At this time Makara Nakshatram will rise on the eastern horizon following which Makarajyothi will be seen from Ponnambalamedu. Lakhs of devotees after witnessing the auspicious and divine Makarajyothi will then descend Sabarimala in contentment. There are ten spots in and around Sannidhanam to view Makarajyothi.
Makaravilakku mahotsavam is a very important annual festival celebrated at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The auspicious event of Makaravilakku marks the culmination of the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage season and this year the event falls on January 15. The celebration revolves around the appearance of the divine Makarajyothi, which is observed three times at Ponnambalamedu, a remote hilltop located eight kilometers east of the Sannidhanam. Makarajyothi is seen after the evening puja at the main shrine during which the idol of Lord Ayyappa will be adorned with the divine jewels called ‘Thiruvabharanam’.
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