Thousands of people witnessed Makar Jyoti in Sabarimala

Sabarimala: Thousands of devotees of Lord Ayyappa witnessed the auspicious ‘Makara Jyoti’, the divine flame visible atop Ponnambalamedu, the hill in front of the temple, as part of the annual festival. Sannidanam echoed with the hymns of Lord Ayyappa as the doors of the sanctum sanctorum were opened for special ‘Deeparadhana’ in the evening and the Lord was decorated with sacred gems ‘Thiruvabharanam’. ‘Makarjyoti’ was seen a few minutes after ‘Deeparadhana’. Ten centers were allotted to watch ‘Makaravilakku’.

The coffin carrying the ‘Thiruvabharanam’ was received by Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan, Travancore Devaswom Board Chairman PS Prashanth, members Advocate A Ajikumar and G Sundaresan. The coffin brought in front of the temple was received by Thanthri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru and Melashanti PN Mahesh Namboothiri and brought to the temple. Pilgrims stood in queues for hours to get a glimpse of Lord Ayyappa carrying ‘Irumudi Kettu’ on his head.