Mandalam festival begins, heavy rush on Day 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The darshan time at Sabarimala is likely to be increased to handle the rush of Ayyappa devotees to the hill shrine.
Speaking at Sabarimala on the auspicious Vrishchikam 1 (according to the Malayalam calendar) that marked the beginning of the two-month Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, Devaswom minister V S Sivakumar said all preparations have been made to ensure a smooth pilgrimage season.
The ritualistic installation of E N Krishnadas Namboodiri of Paanjal Ezhikode Mana as the new Sabarimala melsanthi, or head priest, was performed on Sunday evening. The morning rituals began with Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam, performed by the new melsanthi. S Kesavan Namboodiri of Mavelikkara was also installed as the new melsanthi of the Malikappuram Devi temple.
About 10,000 devotees reached Pampa on Sunday. Monday witnessed a long queue from Pampa to Sannidhanam, and pilgrims took almost six hours to reach the temple.
The 41-day mandalam festival will conclude on December 27. The temple will reopen for Makaravilakku festival on the afternoon of December 30. The Makaravilakku festival is on January 14.
As many as five lakh pilgrims have already applied for the virtual queue, and they will be given passes at Pampa. Police have deployed 350 personnel at Pampa and 600 men at Sannidhanam. Once Makaravilakku festival begins, police will deploy 2,000 personnel each at Pampa and Sannidhanam.