SABARIMALA: In a fervent display of devotion, hundreds of devotees flocked to the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala on Thursday evening as the portals of the hill shrine opened for the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakkku pilgrimage.
The 41-day pilgrimage season is set to commence on Friday, marking the auspicious beginning of the Malayalam month of Vrichikam.Under the guidance of temple 'tantri' (head priest) Mahesh Mohanaru, the sanctum sanctorum was opened, with 'melshanthi' (chief priest) K Jayaraman Namboothiri leading the rituals.
The temple complex, 'sannidhanam', echoed with the chants of 'swamiye saranam Ayyappa' as devotees undertook a strenuous trek through the traditional path from the base camp at Pampa to reach the hill shrine.New 'melshanthies' of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples, P N Mahesh, and P G Murali, respectively, offered prayers at the shrines ahead of assuming their responsibilities tomorrow.
The anticipation was palpable even before the official opening of the shrine on Friday, with Sabarimala and its premises witnessing a substantial influx of devotees.P S Prashanth, the president of Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the shrine, and other officials were present during the temple's opening.
Prashanth assured that all necessary arrangements have been completed at 'sannidhanam' and Pampa to accommodate devotees for the pilgrimage season, emphasizing the provision of basic amenities and infrastructure facilities.In preparation for a safe and smooth pilgrimage, advanced technologies, including a dynamic queue-control system, have been implemented to manage crowding at 'sannidhanam'.
Additionally, video walls at Nilakkal, Pampa, and the temple complex will keep devotees informed about the rush.
Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan highlighted the establishment of emergency health centers at 15 locations along the route between Pampa and 'sannidhanam' to ensure the well-being of devotees.(With inputs from agencies)