Today 1st Makaram 1188, Monday(14th Jan 2013) is Makaravilakku Mahotsavam. It is in this day Lord Ayyappa Swami asserts Himself as "Makara Jyothy" to bless His devotees. Today in the evening Deeparadhana Ayyappa Swamy's idol will be adorned with "Thiruvabharanam". No pilgrims are permitted inside the temple from the time of closing the Sanctum Sanctorum after Ucha Pooja until the adorment of the sacred jewels. The doors are then opened for Deeparadhana & Darshan and then "Makara Jyothy" will appear in the sky and Makara Vilakku will appear on the Eastern side of Ponnambalameedu...... Swamiyeeee SaranamAyyappa......The Makarajyoti is not to be mistaken to Makaravilakku...Makara Vilakku is the fire lamp which is lit thrice by authorized people in commemoration of the aarathi performed by Dev Rishis and Devas at the time of revelation of Ayyappa Swamy's Divine Roopa by Manikantan... Swamiyee Saranam Ayyappa......Pranams to all those devotees who are blessed to view AyyaappaSwamy's idol adorned with Thiruvabharanam..blessed to view MakaraJyothy and Makaravilakku Darshan..... Ayyappa Sharanam.....
After Makara Jyothy Darshan , that night Malikappurathuamma, mounted on an elephant comes in a procession to the Patinettampadi (18 steps ) and returns back to her abode. This event is the starting of MakaraVilakku festival which lasts for seven days. Many pilgrims stay back till this festival is over and Kuruthi pooja (offering of water mixed with chunnambu and turmeric powder to the forest deities) is performed.MakaraJyothy indicates the culmination of MakaraVilakku Mahotsavam........Swamy Sharanam..May your life be blessed with Health, Wealth . Success & Happiness …by the Kind blessings of “Sabarimala Sree Dharmma Shastha”….. Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa … Saranam Saranam Ayyappa….. SreeKrishnarppanamasthu.......
