The sacred Sabarimala Temple in Kerala has officially opened for the Mandal Makaravilakku season, drawing devotees from across the nation. Anticipating a large influx of pilgrims, the Travancore Devasthanam Board (TDB) has introduced several measures to facilitate a smooth and spiritual experience for visitors.
Early Opening and Extended Darshan Hours
To manage the initial rush of devotees, the temple was opened an hour earlier than scheduled. Pilgrims began their sacred journey with a padayatra from the banks of the Pampa River to the Ayyappa Swami Sannidhanam, offering prayers to Lord Ayyappa.
This season, darshan hours have been extended significantly, with devotees now able to visit from 3 AM to 1 PM and again from 3 PM to 11 PM. The Mandala season will continue until December 26, followed by the Makaravilakku season, which begins on December 30 and ends on January 20, 2025.
Special Arrangements for Devotees
Given the past experiences and the heavy rush expected, TDB has made robust arrangements:
- Virtual Queue System:
- Devotees can book slots for darshan online through the virtual queue system.
- Up to 70,000 slots are available daily, ensuring smooth crowd management.
- Spot Booking Facility:
- An additional 10,000 devotees per day can secure their darshan through on-spot bookings, accommodating those unable to reserve online.
- Assurance to Pilgrims:
- The board has assured that no devotee with the traditional Irumudikettu will return without a darshan, even in case of heavy traffic.
- Enhanced Security Measures:
- Special security arrangements have been implemented to manage the increased footfall and ensure a safe pilgrimage experience.
Change of Temple Priests
As per tradition, the annual change of temple priests will occur when the temple doors reopen at 5 PM on Friday. This sacred ceremony will mark the transition and continuation of spiritual service at the temple.
Devotees’ Response
The opening of the Sabarimala Temple has evoked immense joy among the devotees, many of whom undertake the pilgrimage after observing the 41-day Mandala Diksha. The opportunity for extended darshan hours has been widely welcomed, allowing more devotees to seek blessings during this auspicious season.
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