The revered Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala is gearing up for the much-awaited Mandala season, which begins this Friday and will continue until December 26. This significant religious period, lasting over one and a half months, sees a massive influx of devotees heading to the temple. Starting from 1 pm on Friday, pilgrims can enter the Sannidhanam from Pamba, marking the commencement of the season.
Virtual queue bookings for the month of November have already reached full capacity, with only a few afternoon slots on November 30 still available. Temple authorities urge those who have made bookings but need to cancel their visit to promptly do so, as failure to cancel will result in the forfeiture of their chance to rebook. Canceled slots will be allotted to devotees opting for spot bookings instead.
Devotees who wish to make spot bookings can do so by presenting a valid identity proof, such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, or passport. Seven counters for spot bookings have been set up at Pamba, and accommodation facilities for 8,000 pilgrims are available in Nilakkal, along with lodging for 7,000 devotees at Pamba.
In light of the anticipated rise in devotees, the Travancore Devaswom Board is considering extending the darshan timings by 30 minutes to an hour during the peak Mandala Makara Vilakku season. Current darshan hours are from 3 am to 1 pm, and 3 pm to 11 pm.
Health Minister Veena George confirmed that comprehensive health services are being set up for the Mandala season. In addition to medical college doctors, trained volunteers will assist pilgrims along the key Sabarimala pathways. The Pamba command center will operate 24/7 to ensure all devotees have access to medical care if needed. Minister George emphasized that pilgrims facing any health issues during the ascent should immediately seek assistance at the nearest health center.
The authorities urge everyone to follow safety guidelines strictly and ensure a smooth and sacred pilgrimage experience.
Leave a comment