Sabarimala Temple kicks off 41-day Mandala season
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala just opened its doors for the annual 41-day Mandala pilgrimage.
Devotees start their journey with a strict vratham (spiritual routine) leading up to the main Mandala Pooja on December 27.
After a short break, the temple will reopen for the Makaravilakku festival from December 30 to January 20, where everyone looks forward to witnessing the sacred Makara Jyothi.
What's new for pilgrims this year?
Expecting huge crowds, organizers have rolled out better facilities—think drinking water kiosks, bio-toilets, and resting benches along trekking routes.
There are also emergency medical centers and multilingual info boards to help everyone out.
Plus, a virtual queue system is in place to make things smoother and keep things moving safely for all visitors.