Mon Dec 30 13:37:07 UTC 2024: ## Sabarimala Temple Reopens for Makaravilakku Festival

**Pathanamthitta, Kerala, December 30, 2024** – The Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala reopened today, marking the beginning of the Makaravilakku festival. Melsanthi (head priest) S. Arun Kumar Namboothiri and Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru presided over the reopening ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by the reopening of the Malikappuram Devi Temple.

Thousands of pilgrims, many from neighboring states, have already begun their ascent to the hill shrine. The temple, which closed on December 26th after the Mandalam pilgrimage season, will remain open until January 19th. The main Makaravilakku festival is scheduled for January 14th, with the temple closing again on January 20th.

Extensive preparations were undertaken ahead of the reopening. A comprehensive cleanup was conducted by the Fire and Rescue Services department and various other organizations. Security has also been significantly bolstered with a 1,437-member police team deployed across key locations within the temple complex. The Travancore Devaswom Board has implemented arrangements to accommodate the large number of expected devotees.

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