Makara Vilakku On 14 Jan; No Spot Bookings From 12th To 14th Jan.

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The Makara Vilakku festival will take place on January 14, and virtual queue bookings have already been completed for the event. As a result, there will be no spot bookings available from January 12 to 14. Virtual queue bookings for the entire pilgrimage season, including Makara Vilakku, are fully booked until January 15. From now until January 11, 70,000 pilgrims will be allowed entry each day through the virtual queue. There will be no spot bookings on the key days of the Makara Vilakku festival, from January 12 to 14. From January 15 to 19, spot bookings will be available with an increased capacity to accommodate more pilgrims. This provision is expected to help manage the influx of devotees, The last Neyyabhishekam will be held on January 18. On January 19, the final darshan for devotees will take place, with the ritual concluding at 10:00 PM, marked by the singing of Harivarasanam. This will signal the official closing of the pilgrimage season.

Pathanamthitta: The annual Makara Vilakku pilgrimage at Sabarimala commenced with traditional rituals, marking the beginning of an important phase in the temple's religious calendar. At 3:30 AM, the ceremonies began with the Maha Ganapati Homam, conducted by the chief priest, Tantri Kandharar Rajeev. This ritual marks the start of the auspicious season, which will continue with the Neyyabhishekam performed daily from 3:30 AM To 11:00 AM.

The Makara Vilakku festival is on January 14, and The temple will close on January 20 at 6:30 AM, following the darshan of the Pandalam Royal Family. This marks the official conclusion of the Makara Vilakku season.

The temple doors were officially opened for the pilgrimage on the evening of December 30. In the presence of Tantri Kandharar Rajeev, Melshanti S Arun Kumar Namboothiri opened the doors, following the ceremonial unlocking of the Kannimoola Ganapati and Nagaraja sanctums. After Washing the holy 18 steps, pilgrims were permitted to ascend, following the return of the priests and their team.

In light of the high demand for the pilgrimage, virtual queue bookings have been completed until January 15. From 1st Jan-11th Jan- 70,000 pilgrims will be permitted entry each day through the virtual queue. However, those without bookings will have the option of spot bookings. Nevertheless, due to crowd control measures, spot bookings will not be available from January 12 to 14, which are the peak days of the Makara Vilakku festival. During this period, the number of people allowed through the virtual queue will also be limited. On January 12, 60,000 pilgrims will be granted entry, followed by 50,000 on January 13, and 40,000 on January 14. The bookings for these dates are already fully reserved. Similarly, the 70,000 slots for January 15 have also been fully booked.

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SWAMI SARANAM AYYAPPA-SABARIMALA UPTODATE