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The auspicious “Makaravilakku” ritual, which marks the end of the more than two-month-long pilgrimage season, falls on January 14, 2026.
A TDB statement said the temple will open at 5 pm on December 30, with the sanctum sanctorum opened by ‘Melasanthi’ (chief priest) ED Prasad in the presence of Tantri (chief priest) Mahesh Mohanaru.
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After lighting the fire in the Aazhi (sacred fire) at Sannidhanam, the pilgrims will be allowed to climb the sacred eighteen steps (Pathinattam Padi) for darshan.
The temple was closed at 10 pm on 27 December, after the traditional rendition of “Harivarasanam” (Lullaby of Lord Ayyappa), concluding the 41-day-long Mandala Puja.
The Makaravilakku festival, one of the most important annual events at Sabarimala, attracts lakhs of pilgrims from across the country every year.
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The TDB said that as part of the preparations for the annual Makaravilakku festival, a massive cleanliness drive was carried out in Sabarimala and its surrounding areas with the participation of various government departments and volunteers.
The cleanliness drive, which began on Monday, is being jointly carried out by the police, excise, Travancore Devaswom Board and Vishuddhi Sena, sanitation volunteers.
Both sides of Swami Ayyappan Road, the stretch from Neelimala Gate to Sabaripid, the area around Pampa and the stretch up to Sannidhanam (temple complex) were included in the cleanliness drive, the statement said.