Sabarimala, Jan. 14 -- Thousands of devotees thronged the Lord Ayyappa temple on Wednesday evening to witness the sacred Makaravilakku rituals and the much-awaited Makara Jyothi Darshan, marking the spiritual culmination of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
As the Makara Jyothi appeared in the eastern sky and the Makara Vilakku illuminated the Ponnambalmedu hills, chants of "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa" reverberated across the eighteen sacred hillocks, surrounding forests, and the temple precincts.
Groups of devotees, many from other states, had camped at various vantage points to witness the celestial and ceremonial spectacle.
The evening rituals at the Sannidhanam coincided with the Makaravilakku, during which Lord Ayyapp...