Makaravilakku is an annual celebration conducted on Makara Sankranti day in Kerala at Sabarimala Temple. The celebration features a procession of the Thiruvabharanam (holy ornaments of Lord Ayyappan) and a big gathering at the Sabarimala hill shrine.
Each year, over 500,000 worshippers visit the Sabarimala Shrine for the Sabarimala Makaravilakku Mahotsavam. Thousands of Lord Ayyappa worshippers congregate at the temple to view the Makarvilakku (light or flame) that shines thrice on the Ponnambalamedu hill, four kilometers away from the temple.
Makaravilakku 2023 Date and & Time
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Sabarimala Jyothi Darshanam
- Despite this, the temple will perform the Makaravilakku puja from morning to night on this day. The Makaravilakku will be illuminated atop the hills at the times listed above.
- On this day, tens of thousands of pilgrims will visit the Makaravilakku. Even the pilgrims will be watching live on numerous television channels.
- The pilgrims must reserve the Makaravilakku through online Darshan booking. Previously, pilgrims could visit the temple and view Makaravilakku without making an online reservation.
FAQs
1. Is Makaravilakku real?
Ans – Makaravilakku is an annual celebration celebrated on Makara Sankranti at the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala, India. The celebration features a procession of the Thiruvabharanam (holy ornaments of Lord Ayyappan) and a gathering at the Sabarimala hill shrine.
2. Why Ayyappa has 18 steps?
Ans – The steps are regarded to be unique for other reasons. Each step is dedicated to one of Ayyappa’s 18 weapons, which he is supposed to have surrendered at the “pathinettam padi,” or eighteenth step.
3. Who is lighting Makaravilakku?
Ans – The two-month-long Ayyappa pilgrimage season culminates with the lighting of the lamp on the Ponnambalamedu mountain that surrounds the Sabarimala temple. Before the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) acquired control of the Sabarimala temple, the Mala Araya tribe had the customary authority to ignite the Makaravilakku.
4. Why girls are not allowed in Ayyappa?
Ans – In honour of Malikapurathamma, a lady-demon whom Ayyappa vanquished and to whom she proposed marriage afterward, it is said that Lord Ayyappa does not allow menstruation women to enter the temple. The Lord stipulated that he would marry her on the day worshippers ceased to visit him at Sabarimala.
