Pathanamthitta: The  Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at Sabarimala will conclude on Monday, and the temple will close on the same day. Devotees were able to seek darshan till Sunday night and were permitted to ascend to the temple from Pampa till 6 pm.

The successful conclusion of the season, marked by a complaint-free, safe, and satisfying experience, was made possible through the sincere cooperation of all stakeholders, said Police Coordinator ADGP S Sreejith.

Since the beginning of the makaravilakku season on December 30, nearly 19,00,789 Ayyappa devotees have visited the temple, according to an official release issued on Saturday. The total number of visitors from the beginning of the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival on November 15 until January 17 stands at 51,92,550, it added.

The seamless cooperation of all stakeholders, including the Devaswom Board, various government departments, and devotees, ensured the season concluded blessedly and successfully, Sreejith said. Notably, the police implemented a well-crafted plan, which received a highly positive response from the Devaswom Board authorities, he added.

"All departments operated seamlessly, like a well-oiled machine. The police were just one cog in the wheel, but it was indeed an effective one," the police coordinator said. ADGP Sreejith also hailed the media, stating that it played a vital role in informing the public about police services and effectively relayed the police's messages to ensure a smooth pilgrimage for devotees from outside the state.