Pathanamthitta: The significant aspect of the Mandala season, ‘Makaravilakku’ will be witnessed in a few hours from now. It will also mark the conclusion of the two-month-long pilgrim season. The Makaravilakku rituals will begin after Lord Ayyappa is adorned with ornaments brought from Pandalam Palace. The Melshanti will be handed over the ornaments to be adorned upon the Lord.
Makarajyoti will be seen at 6.45 from Ponnambalamedu. A large number of Ayyappa devotees have flocked to the hill shrine to witness the transcendental moment.
Security has also been beefed up in the region and more personnel of police, NDRF and Rapid Response Force have been deployed in and around the shrine for crowd management and to ensure the safety of devotees, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), said
Over 1,400 police personnel including 15 DySPs and 36 Circle Inspectors are on duty at Sannidhanam, the temple complex, alone.