Kerala: Highly structured arrangements have been put in place for the Makaravilakku festival at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Kerala on January 14.

The rituals during the day will commence with a Nirmalyadarshanam at 5 a.m., to be followed by a Ganapathi Homam. The auspicious Makarasamkrama puja will begin at 8.14 a.m. The sanctum sanatorium will be closed at 1 a.m. after Uchapooja and reopen later at 5 p.m.

Amid fears of Covid-19 pandemic, the temple complexes which used to witness large crowds during the Mandalam – Makaravilakku celebrations are prepared to handle the rush during the final day of the pilgrimage season. The Thiruvabharanam procession will be accorded a reception at Sharamkuthi by 5.30 p.m. A team led by Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran will receive the box carrying the Thiruvabharam at the sannidhanam. After decorating the Ayyappa idol with the Thiruvabharanam, the Mahadeeparadhana will be held at 6.30 p.m. This will be followed by the lighting of the Makaravilakku at Ponnambalamedu.

Not only in Sabarimala, all Ayyappa Temples in northern cities have also readied themselves to handle the crowd as per the guidelines of the pandemic. The temples as usual will wear a festive look with decorations of flowers, rangoli accompanied by the Chenda melam to give a feeling of spiritual enlightenment.

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