Thousands of devotees witnessed the 'Makara Jyothi', celestial light-on the eastern horizon last night evening at 7.07 pm and twice more after a minute's gap , marking the culmination of the three month long pilgrimage season at the famous Lord Ayyappa temple here.
Chanting of 'Swaamiye Saranam Ayyappa' reverberated the air as 'Makara Jyoti' was seen across the skies above the Ponnambalamedu after the evening pooja was performed in the shrine with the Lord's idol adorned with glittering 'Holy Jewels.' The Sannidhanam and the precincts of the temple turned into a virtual sea of humanity with devotees from different parts of the country converging in thousands for the auspicious occasion.
Earlier, three wooden caskets containing the holy jewels were brought to the shrine in a procession, which set off from the Pandalam Palace some 60 km away, where Lord Ayyappa was believed to have spent his childhood as the adopted son of a local king.
The jewels were ceremoniously received by the temple 'Thanthri' (traditional high priest), 'Melsanthi' (chief priest) and Travancore Devaswom Board authorities.
It was worth the wait for lakhs of devotees who anxiously waited for hours at the famed Sabarimala temple and its nearby places Friday evening to witness the Makara Jyothi - the celestial flame that appeared thrice on the horizon.
According to the figures provided by the Devasom, collections at the temple has crossed Rs.131 crores as of Thursday, while last season it was Rs.120 crores during the same period.
It is the Devasom Ministry that oversees all the temples that are attached to the Devasom Board. The Sabarimala temple is one of the biggest grossers for the board.
The Sabarimala temple is in the state's Pathanamthitta district, situated on the Western Ghat ranges at an altitude of 914 metres above the sea level, four kilometres uphill from the river Pampa.
The number of pilgrims visiting the shrine has been going up every year.
Chanting of 'Swaamiye Saranam Ayyappa' reverberated the air as 'Makara Jyoti' was seen across the skies above the Ponnambalamedu after the evening pooja was performed in the shrine with the Lord's idol adorned with glittering 'Holy Jewels.' The Sannidhanam and the precincts of the temple turned into a virtual sea of humanity with devotees from different parts of the country converging in thousands for the auspicious occasion.
Earlier, three wooden caskets containing the holy jewels were brought to the shrine in a procession, which set off from the Pandalam Palace some 60 km away, where Lord Ayyappa was believed to have spent his childhood as the adopted son of a local king.
The jewels were ceremoniously received by the temple 'Thanthri' (traditional high priest), 'Melsanthi' (chief priest) and Travancore Devaswom Board authorities.
It was worth the wait for lakhs of devotees who anxiously waited for hours at the famed Sabarimala temple and its nearby places Friday evening to witness the Makara Jyothi - the celestial flame that appeared thrice on the horizon.
According to the figures provided by the Devasom, collections at the temple has crossed Rs.131 crores as of Thursday, while last season it was Rs.120 crores during the same period.
It is the Devasom Ministry that oversees all the temples that are attached to the Devasom Board. The Sabarimala temple is one of the biggest grossers for the board.
The Sabarimala temple is in the state's Pathanamthitta district, situated on the Western Ghat ranges at an altitude of 914 metres above the sea level, four kilometres uphill from the river Pampa.
The number of pilgrims visiting the shrine has been going up every year.
