There was heavy rush of devotees at Sabarimala when the temple opened for the Makaravilakku festival.
About:
What is it?
The phenomenon of Makaravilakku (light) which sums up the climax of the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage is traditionally held on either January 14 or 15 each year.
The Makaravilakku (light) appears thrice at Ponnambalamedu -a remote hill-top eight kilometers east of the Sannidhanam- on Makar Sankranti after the evening puja.
Religious significance:
Makaravilakku celebrates the meeting between Rama and Dharmashasta (another name for Ayyappan) in Sabarimala.
Lakhs of devotees throng the shrine to witness the Makaravilakku. The devout believe that Makara Jyothi darshan would bring them good luck.
Reason for Light:
For many years devotees considered the Makaravilakku a divine phenomenon.
It was only in 2011 that the traditional custodian of the Sabarimala shrine- clarified that the light seen in the skies was man-made.
In earlier times, it was believed that forest-dwellers in and around Ponnambalamedu used to light the fire as part of their Makaravilakku celebrations. The tradition continued even after these tribals vacated their abode with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) taking over the responsibility.
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