Thiruvananthapuram, Jan. 15 -- Thousands who gathered in and around the premises of the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala on Wednesday witnessed the 'Makara Jyothi' ritual, the high-point of the annual Makaravilakku festival, amid stringent security arrangements at the hill shrine.

The pilgrims witnessed the 'makarajyothi' star in the eastern horizon, followed by the sighting of the 'makaravilakku' light in the Ponnambalamedu hills as soon as the sanctum sanctorum of the temple reopened following the Deeparadhana pooja. Chants of 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa' rang in the air during the occasion.

As per beliefs, Lord Ayyappa reveals himself as a 'star' in the sky for the faithful on the auspicious occasion.

Earlier, the 'thiruvabharana' pro...