Lakhs of Ayyappa devotees thronged Sabarimala today to have the darshan of the 'Makara Jyothi', on the first day of the Malayalam month Makaram.
About 60 lakh devotees from different states landed up in Sabarimala to have the darshan.
Makara Jyothi is the star (nakshatram) that appears on the sky in the evening of January 14. On the same day, Makara Sankrant, called Pongal in Tamil Nadu, is observed in different parts of India.
Another important ritual on the day is the witnessing of the Makara Vilakku at the Ponnambala Medu – the light that appears 3 times on the distant hill at Ponnambala Medu.
Before the Makara Vilakku appears, Lord Ayyappa is adorned with gold ornaments or the Thiruvabharanam that is brought from the Pandalam Palace.
The darshan of Ayyappa on Makara Jyothi day is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that on this day, Lord Ayyappa merged with the main murti in the Sabarimala Temple.
In the evening, the temple's authorities perform the Deeparadhana Puja. During the Deeparadhana, Lord Ayyappa is brought out fully-attired in the Thiruvabharanam.
Before the evening Deeparadhana on Makara Vilakku Day, an eagle hovers over the Sabarimala temple. Next, the Makara star appears in the sky – Makara Jyothi is the star that appears on the sky in the evening. Next is the appearance of the Makara Vilakku.
The day also signifies the end of the 40-day deeksha observed by Ayyappa devotees since October 19 of the Karthika month.
Meanwhile, the South Central Railway has been running special trains in addition to the Sabari Express, from Nampally, from Jan 14. The special trains will be run upto Jan 21.