The Mandala Pooja, a pivotal ritual in the annual pilgrimage to the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple, is set to conclude today, December 26. The sacred ceremony marks the culmination of the first phase of the pilgrimage season, with the temple portals scheduled to close at 11 PM tonight.

Rituals and Sacred Observances

The Mandala Pooja will be performed by the temple’s head priest, Kandararu Rajeevaru, between 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM, according to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President, P S Prasanth. Following the pooja, the "Thanka Anki" (golden attire), brought in a ceremonial procession from the Aranmula Parthasarathi Temple, will be draped on the idol of Lord Ayyappa during the ‘aarathi’ ritual.

The ceremonial procession, which started on Sunday, December 24, will reach Pamba this afternoon. It will be welcomed by Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan before being received by TDB officials at the Sannidhanam (temple complex) later in the evening.

Pilgrim Management and Crowd Control

With an estimated 30.87 lakh pilgrims visiting the temple during this season up until December 23, the TDB has implemented strict measures for crowd management. Virtual queue bookings were capped at 50,000 on December 25 and 60,000 on December 26 to ensure a seamless flow of devotees. Additionally, spot bookings were limited to 5,000 per day, adhering to a Kerala High Court directive.

The temple will reopen on December 30 for the Makaravilakku festivities, with virtual queues capped at 50,000 on January 13 and 40,000 on January 14 for the main rituals.

Revival of Spiritual Traditions

One of the significant announcements this season is the revival of the Pamba Sangamam, a spiritual and cultural event that was discontinued after the 2018 floods. Scheduled to commence on January 12, 2025, the event aims to restore the spiritual and cultural vibrancy of the pilgrimage.

Season Highlights and Pilgrim Trends

This year, the Sabarimala pilgrimage has seen a rise in devotees, with 4.46 lakh more pilgrims visiting the temple compared to last year. This increase underscores the enduring significance of the Lord Ayyappa Temple as a focal point of devotion for millions.

The TDB's proactive measures, such as crowd caps and the revival of cultural events, reflect a commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage experience while preserving the sacred traditions of Sabarimala. As the temple gears up for the Makaravilakku festivities, devotees can look forward to a well-organized and spiritually enriching experience.

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