The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple opened on Sunday evening ahead of the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, which is set to draw devotees from around the globe. The two-month-long pilgrimage officially begins on Monday, the first day of the Malayalam month of 'Vrischikam'.

Despite the formal start being a day away, the Sannidhanam, trekking routes, and base camps saw significant crowds on Sunday itself, with hundreds making their way to the hill shrine to offer prayers soon after the temple gates were opened.

The temple complex echoed with chants of Ayyappa when the current melshanthi (chief priest), Arunkumar Namboothiri, opened the sanctum sanctorum in the presence of tantri (head priest) Mahesh Mohanaru, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) authorities, and devotees.

According to TDB sources, the installation ceremony for the newly appointed melshanthis of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples — E D Prasad and M G Manu — was also conducted. To manage the large influx of pilgrims, officials have capped daily entry at 90,000 to 70,000 via the virtual queue and an additional 20,000 through spot booking.

Throughout the pilgrimage period, the shrine will remain open from 3 am to 11 pm, concluding each day with the recital of 'Harivarasanam', the traditional lullaby offered to Lord Ayyappa. Earlier, the TDB announced that comprehensive preparations had been completed to accommodate devotees' arrival.

Facilities arranged this year include continuous access to safe drinking water along the trekking routes, resting spaces, water kiosks, and centres providing chukkuvellam (dried ginger water) and hot water. Hundreds of sanitation personnel will work in shifts to maintain cleanliness in and around the temple throughout the season.

Additional amenities, such as bio-toilets and other sanitation facilities, have been set up at Sannidhanam and along the pilgrimage paths. Multilingual signboards have also been installed to guide devotees travelling from different parts of the country.

The Health Department has established multiple emergency medical centres to manage health emergencies. Authorities said strict controls through the virtual queue system will regulate the daily flow of pilgrims.

This season begins amid ongoing discussions regarding missing gold from the temple treasury. Former bureaucrat K Jayakumar assumed charge as the new TDB president on Saturday.

“The Sabarimala pilgrimage should proceed smoothly without causing any difficulties for devotees. Any wrongdoing or illegal practices related to temple affairs must be addressed,” Jayakumar told reporters before commencing his trek to the shrine on Sunday.

However, delays in starting the dolly services, owing to mandatory fitness inspections, reportedly caused difficulties for some devotees with mobility issues. The dolly service transports pilgrims who are unable to walk up to the shrine.