Sabarimala temple opens for Makaravilakku festival

Amid heavy security, hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala opened on Monday evening for "Makaravilakku" festival. temple had closed on December 27 to mark culmination of 41-day mandala pilgrim season. re was a heavy rush of Ayyappa devotees when shrine opened at 5 PM.

Chief Priest A K Sudheer Namboothiri opened temple doors and performed rituals inside sanctum sanctorum as well as on holy 18 steps after which pilgrims were allowed to have darshan.

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Head priest Kandaru Mahesh Mohanaru oversaw various rituals. Makaravilakku will be held on January 15 and shrine will be closed on January 21. Chanting 'swamiye saranam Ayyappa', thousands of devotees thronged temple after waiting for hours in long queues.

However, special pujas were held on Monday. This year it was a peaceful pilgrim season during first half. Last year shrine had witnessed massive protests by devotees against state government's decision to implement Supreme Court's September 28 verdict, allowing women of all s to offer prayers.

Traditionally, women in menstrual were t allowed inside shrine. A new batch of 1,397 police personnel took charge at Sabarimala for Makaravilakku festival. At present 1,875 police personnel, including a quick response team and Bomb squad, are already at temple. 

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