Fri Dec 05 11:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Hindu pilgrimage site of Sabarimala has seen over 1.5 million pilgrims in the first 18 days of the Mandala season. As of 7 PM yesterday, official numbers were just under 1.5 million, with the final count expected to exceed that. Early yesterday morning saw a surge of over 66,000 pilgrims, but crowds thinned somewhat later in the day.
News Article:
Sabarimala Pilgrimage Surges: Over 1.5 Million Devotees Visit in First 18 Days
Sabarimala, India – December 4, 2025 – The Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple has witnessed a massive influx of pilgrims in the first 18 days of the Mandala season, with the total number of devotees exceeding 1.5 million.
Official figures released last night at 7 PM showed 1,495,774 pilgrims had already visited the shrine. Authorities confirmed that the final count, including those arriving after 7 PM, would push the total past the 1.5 million mark.
The temple saw a peak in the early morning hours yesterday, with 66,522 pilgrims arriving between 12 AM and 7 AM. While the crowds thinned somewhat in the afternoon and evening, the overall number of visitors remains exceptionally high.
The Mandala season pilgrimage is a significant event, and authorities are working to manage the large crowds and ensure the safety and smooth passage of all devotees.
First Piper 