Kerala: Devotees thronged the Ayyappan temple in Sabarimala. 83,429 devotees visited Sabarimala Ayyappan on the last two days of 15th and 16th. As the number of Ayyappa devotees will increase in Sabarimala in the coming days, all arrangements have been made in full swing.
The Ayrai hill surrounded by forests is the present Sabarimala of Ayyappan, where the Cheras, Tamil kings, used to worship during the Sangam period. The Sabarimala Ayyappan temple is managed under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Although the Sabarimala Ayyappan temple is opened at different times of the year, it is most famous during Makaravilakku and Mandalapooja. During Makaravilakku and Mandalapooja, devotees wear garlands and start fasting on the first day of the Karthika month to have the darshan of Lord Ayyappan.
They fast for 48 days which is called Mandala and go to meet Ayyappan by tying their hair. Mainly 3 routes are used to reach Sabarimala. A large number of devotees regularly travel on foot from Bombay. There is also a practice of walking on the highway route from Erumeli to Sabarimala to see Lord Ayyappan. Devotees also reach Sabarimala through the grassland.
The number of devotees visiting Sabarimala is increasing every year. This year also on November 16, the first day of Karthik, devotees started fasting by wearing garlands. Devotees are already going to Sabarimala wearing garlands and tying scarves on their heads. From November 15 till yesterday evening, 83,429 devotees have visited Sabarimala. 3,000 devotees are visiting per hour. The opening time of Sabarimala Ayyappan temple has also been extended to 16 hours. Not only in Tamil Nadu, but also in states and countries where Tamils live, Ayyappa devotees started fasting by wearing garlands on the first day of Karthikai. Ayyappa devotees in the Union Territory of Puducherry and the highlands of Sri Lanka have started fasting by wearing garlands.
