Free food service for Sabarimala pilgrims and Q-coupon details

The Travancore Devaswom Board has decided to distribute free food to the Sabarimala pilgrims for 24 hours during the peak time of the upcoming Makaravilakku season in January. It was informed by Travancore Devaswom Board president M Rajagopalan Nair during a meeting with media persons. He said that the devaswom will facilitate free food service at Malikappuram also. This step is to prevent exploitation of the pilgrims by other unclean hotels and all. Currently the system of unified price for food in all the shops and establishments prevails in Pampa and Sannidhanam. The pilgrims will be provided with adequate facilities.

Rajagopalan Nair added that the pilgrims will be allowed for darsan only till January 20th evening during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season. This season the Kerala Police have launched a facility called Q-coupon booking system where devotees can book their time of shrine darshan according to their convenience. The reopening of the temple for Makaravilakku celebrations is on December 30th. The special ritual practices in accordance with the auspicious Makarasamkramam at the Lord Ayyappa Temple is to be held on January 15th at 12.59 am.

The adornment of Thiruvabharanam on Lord Ayyappa's idol and the annual Makaravilakku Pooja would be performed in the temple at 6.30 pm on the same day.
The annual 'Guruthi' pooja will be performed at Malikappuram Devi temple at 11 pm on January 20th. After the Mandalam season, the sanctum of Sabarimala Temple will be closed on January 21st at 6 in the morning. It will be done after the temple visit of the Pandalam Raja.

After the closing of shrine, the procession carrying Thiruvabharanam boxes will start its journey from Sannidhanam at 7 am. It would reach Pandalam Palace on January 24 morning.

This year has seen a record earning at Sabarimala temple. The hundi collections and sale of prasadam have risen by Rs.11 crores and reached Rs. 39 crores so far. This is expected to rise further in the upcoming Makaravilakku season.