The Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at Sabarimala will come to a close on Monday, with the temple scheduled to shut for the season. Devotees were allowed to seek darshan until Sunday night and were permitted to ascend from Pampa until 6 pm. This year’s pilgrimage season has concluded on a positive note, with no major complaints or incidents, thanks to the smooth collaboration of all involved parties, stated Police Coordinator ADGP S Sreejith.
Since the start of the Makaravilakku season on December 30, approximately 19,00,789 devotees have visited the temple. Overall, the total number of pilgrims who participated in the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival from November 15 to January 17 reached 51,92,550. This massive turnout reflects the successful organization and smooth functioning of the entire season.
Sreejith praised the unified efforts of the Devaswom Board, government agencies, and devotees, which contributed to the safe and orderly pilgrimage experience. He highlighted the role of the police, whose well-structured plan received praise from Devaswom Board officials. The police force, though a crucial part of the process, was only one of the many components that worked in harmony, ensuring a blessed and peaceful conclusion to the season. The media’s role in disseminating vital information to the public was also acknowledged for its contribution to the seamless pilgrimage experience.
