Makaravilakku
Makaravilakku is the most significant annual festival of the renowned Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. It spans seven days, commencing on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. According to popular legend, Ayyappa merged with the Dharma Shastha Murti at the Sabarimala Temple on the day of Makarajyothi after defeating the demon Mahishasura.
The main attraction of the festival is the grand Thiruvabharanam procession, showcasing the sacred ornaments of the Hindu deity Shri Ayyappa, the God of Growth. During the procession, an eagle is seen hovering in the sky. Following this, there is a religious gathering at the Sabarimala Shrine atop the hill, where Lord Ayyappa is adorned with the Thiruvabharanam for darshan. The highlight of the event is the 'Makaravilakku' or 'Makara Jyothi', the divine light that appears three times atop the Ponnambalamedu hill in Sabarimala. Approximately half a million devotees visit Sabarimala each year to witness this sacred ritual.
Makaravilakku signifies the culmination of the Sabarimala pilgrimage, which commences in mid-November, during the month of Vrischikam. Regarded as the second most significant pilgrimage in India, devotees from around the globe throng the temple seeking the divine blessings of Lord Ayyappa.
Specialty of Festival:
Makaravilakku is the most significant annual festival of the renowned Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. The main highlight of the festival is the appearance of the divine light, known as Makaravilakku, observed three times atop the Ponnambalamedu hill in Sabarimala.
Month of Festival:
Makaravilakku Festival is often celebrated on the day of Makar Sankranti which usually falls in the month of January.
How to reach?
By Air : Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram International Airports are the nearest airports to Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple. Pilgrims who are flying into Kochi will have to travel about 152 Km by road and those reaching Thiruvananthapuram by air will have to travel about 173.7 Km by road to reach the temple.
By Train :Kottayam, Thiruvalla, and Chengannur are the nearest railway stations to Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple which are about 85 to 95 Km away. Pilgrims who are coming from places outside Kerala, like Delhi, Mumbai, Mangalore, Bangalore, Coimbatore, and Hyderabad, can disembark at Kottayam, Thiruvalla or Chengannur Railway Station for easy access to Sabarimala Temple.
By Road :The majority of pilgrims to Sabarimala arrive by road. Pilgrims coming from Alleppey can reach Sabarimala by road through the Chanaganassery-Erumeli route. They can also proceed through Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry, and Pathanamthitta, which is about 125 Km by road to reach Sabarimala.
Pilgrims from Ernakulam can proceed through the Vaikom-Ettumanoor route to reach Kottayam and from there can take the Kanjirappalli-Erumeli route to reach Sabarimala.
Devotees coming from Karnataka via Mangalore or Mysore can come to Thrissur town in the central part of Kerala, which is 210 Km away from Sabarimala and from there, they can take the Muvattupuzha-Kottayam road to reach Sabarimala temple.
Pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu can reach Thrissur through Coimbatore or Guddalore. Pilgrims coming from the central regions of Tamil Nadu can reach Sabarimala via Madurai or else through Kumali. Sabarimala Temple is situated 250 Km away from Madurai.
Pilgrims coming from regions in southern Tamilnadu like Nagercoil can reach Sabarimala via Thiruvananthapuram - Kottarakkara -and Adoor. Sabarimala is situated about 250 Km from Nagercoil.
Pilgrims from Thiruvananthapuram can also arrive via NH47 through Kollam, Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara, Chengannur or Thiruvalla.
Pilgrims coming from Chenkotta of Tamil Nadu can reach Sabarimala via Punaloor, Ranni and Erumeli.
FAQ
1.When is Makaravilakku celebrated?
Makaravilakku Festival is often celebrated on the day of Makar Sankranti which usually falls in the month of January.
2.What is Makaravilakku?
Makaravilakku, also known as Makara Jyothi, is a celestial event and a divine light that appears atop the Ponnambalamedu hill in Sabarimala, Kerala, during the Makar Sankranti festival. It is believed to symbolize the presence of Lord Ayyappa and is considered highly auspicious by devotees who gather to witness it.