Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 (NationPress) The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, a prominent pilgrimage site in South India, will officially open its doors on Sunday at 5 p.m. to commence the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival, ushering in the Kartika month.

As a multitude of devotees gear up for the sacred journey, authorities have implemented stringent crowd-control measures, advanced booking systems, and heightened security protocols.

The Mandala puja festivities kick off on November 17, with the temple remaining accessible for nearly 18 hours daily to cater to the expected surge in worshippers. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has indicated that the temple might extend its operational hours on particularly busy days.

The Mandala puja will take place on December 27, followed by the Makaravilakku festival on January 14.

Online bookings for Sabarimala 'darshan' began on November 1, and by December 1, over 22 lakh devotees had secured their spots. With online slots fully booked, the TDB has permitted an additional 20,000 pilgrims daily via on-site reservations, available at designated counters in Pampa, Nilakkal, Erumeli, Vandiperiyar, Chathram, and Chengannur.

Considering the anticipated massive turnout this year, the Devaswom Board has established specific guidelines for participants. Mobile phones are strictly forbidden within the Sannidhanam, especially on the Pathinettam Padi (the sacred 18 steps) and inside the inner sanctum. Photography and videography within the temple grounds are also prohibited.

Expanded parking facilities are now available, with Nilakkal and Erumeli accommodating nearly 14,000 vehicles simultaneously.

Previously, on monthly puja days, small vehicles could park at Hilltop, and now a total of 2,000 vehicles are permitted. Security has been significantly intensified, with 18,741 police officers stationed along the pilgrimage route. Traffic regulations will be enforced on December 27 during the Mandala pooja, with the route to Pampa temporarily closed. It will reopen on December 30 for the Makaravilakku festival.

To facilitate the influx of pilgrims, the Tamil Nadu government has organized special bus services from Sunday through January 16. Additionally, the Southern Railway has arranged extra special trains to accommodate the festive rush to the hill shrine.

With the temple’s opening, the annual pilgrimage that draws millions of Ayyappa devotees from across the nation has officially commenced, heralding one of the most significant spiritual seasons in the region.