Makaravilakku: Police to Enforce Crowd Management Rules in Sabarimala
13 Jan 2026 7:08 PM IST13 Jan 2026 7:08 PM IST
These arrangements are being implemented jointly by the Police, District Administration, Travancore Devaswom Board, and other allied departments
Sabarimala temple (File Photo)
Thiruvananthapuram: To manage the crowd on Makaravilakku day, the authorities have limited Virtual Queue bookings to 30,000. Pilgrims won’t be allowed to travel from Nilakkal to Pamba after 9 a.m., and the climb from Pamba to the hill will be closed after 10 a.m.
Barricades have been set up at key points where pilgrims gather to witness Makarajyothi, the celestial light. The procession carrying the Thiruvabharanam (golden attire to be adorned on the idol of the presiding deity at the Sabarimala shrine) will start from Laha in Pathanamthitta district at 3 a.m. on Wednesday, with receptions at various locations before reaching Saramkuthy at 5 p.m.
It will then proceed to Sopanam, where Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru will receive the Thiruvabharanam. The Makaravilakku ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m., after the golden attire is adorned on the idol.
Security has been tightened in and around viewpoints to ensure the safety of pilgrims. A local holiday has been declared in Pathanamthitta district on Wednesday in connection with the Makaravilakku festival, applicable to all government offices and educational institutions.
However, pre-scheduled public and university exams will proceed as planned. As per the Collector’s order, the holiday does not apply to employees in essential services. The district will also observe a holiday on Thursday for Taipongal.
For the first time, KSRTC will deploy 1,000 buses in Pampa for the return journey. After the Makara Jyoti darshan on Makaravilakku day, January 14, these buses will transport pilgrims to Nilakkal and to various long-distance destinations. KSRTC has also prepared 2,350 food kits in eco-friendly bags provided by the Kerala Sanitation Mission for employees involved in the Makaravilakku Special Service. These kits will be distributed to staff at Pathanamthitta, Vattatavalam, Pampa, and Erumeli, along with snacks collected by different KSRTC units.
According to Travancore Devaswom Board authorities, 51 lakh pilgrims had visited Sabarimala up to January 12, generating an income of Rs 429 crore for the temple.
It will then proceed to Sopanam, where Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru will receive the Thiruvabharanam. The Makaravilakku ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m., after the golden attire is adorned on the idol.
Security has been tightened in and around viewpoints to ensure the safety of pilgrims. A local holiday has been declared in Pathanamthitta district on Wednesday in connection with the Makaravilakku festival, applicable to all government offices and educational institutions.
However, pre-scheduled public and university exams will proceed as planned. As per the Collector’s order, the holiday does not apply to employees in essential services. The district will also observe a holiday on Thursday for Taipongal.
For the first time, KSRTC will deploy 1,000 buses in Pampa for the return journey. After the Makara Jyoti darshan on Makaravilakku day, January 14, these buses will transport pilgrims to Nilakkal and to various long-distance destinations. KSRTC has also prepared 2,350 food kits in eco-friendly bags provided by the Kerala Sanitation Mission for employees involved in the Makaravilakku Special Service. These kits will be distributed to staff at Pathanamthitta, Vattatavalam, Pampa, and Erumeli, along with snacks collected by different KSRTC units.
According to Travancore Devaswom Board authorities, 51 lakh pilgrims had visited Sabarimala up to January 12, generating an income of Rs 429 crore for the temple.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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