Sabarimala Temple Reopens Today

The Sabarimala temple doors are set to reopen today after being closed for a brief period. The temple, which was closed after the conclusion of the Mandala Pooja, will reopen at 5 PM for the Makaravilakku festivities, as announced by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Traditional rituals will commence from 4 PM onwards.

With the reopening of the temple, a large influx of devotees, including Ayyappa devotees wearing the sacred malas and regular visitors, is expected. To manage the crowd, temple authorities have made extensive arrangements. During the recent Mandala Pooja season, the temple witnessed a record-breaking number of pilgrims. Special provisions, including exclusive areas for women devotees, have been put in place to ensure smooth operations amidst the expected surge. Authorities have also advised devotees to pre-book tickets before visiting the temple.

The temple was closed on December 26 following the completion of the Mandala Pooja, which lasted 41 days and saw participation from thousands of devotees. The Mandala Pooja season, which began on November 16, attracted devotees from Tamil Nadu and various other regions. During this period, over 3.2 million pilgrims visited the Sabarimala temple.

The temple will now reopen for the Makaravilakku Pooja, with the main events, including the Makarajyothi viewing, scheduled for January 14.