<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Thousands of pilgrims thronged the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/sabarimala">Sabarimala Ayyappa temple</a> in Kerala to witness the 'Makara Jyothi' and 'Makara Vilakku' on Tuesday.</p><p>As the 'Makara Jyothi' (star) appeared in the sky and 'Makara Vilakku' (lamp) appeared on Ponnambalmedu hills by around 6.43 pm Ayyappa chants filled the entire hill shrine area.</p><p>Many people in large groups, mostly from other states, were camping in various parts around the temple to witness the 'Makara Jyothi' and 'Makara Vilakku'.</p>.Lord Ayyappa adorned with 'Thanka Anki' as thousands of devotees gather in Sabarimala.<p>The Ayyappa idol was adorned with 'Tiruvabharanam' (holy ornaments) brought from Pandalam palace in Pathanamthitta. Pandalam palace is believed to be the place where Ayyappa spent his childhood.</p><p>The police had made elaborate arrangements to manage the crowd and allowed only around 50,000 pilgrims through the virtual queue booking and spot booking facilities.</p><p>Around 40 lakh pilgrims visited the hill shrine during the two month-long pilgrimage which is ending with the Makaravilakku festival. It is considered to be the record number of footfalls during a pilgrimage seasons. </p><p>The arrangements for the pilgrimage were made under strict vigil of the Kerala High Court, especially in view of widespread complaints of poor crowd management during the last pilgrimage season. </p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Thousands of pilgrims thronged the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/sabarimala">Sabarimala Ayyappa temple</a> in Kerala to witness the 'Makara Jyothi' and 'Makara Vilakku' on Tuesday.</p><p>As the 'Makara Jyothi' (star) appeared in the sky and 'Makara Vilakku' (lamp) appeared on Ponnambalmedu hills by around 6.43 pm Ayyappa chants filled the entire hill shrine area.</p><p>Many people in large groups, mostly from other states, were camping in various parts around the temple to witness the 'Makara Jyothi' and 'Makara Vilakku'.</p>.Lord Ayyappa adorned with 'Thanka Anki' as thousands of devotees gather in Sabarimala.<p>The Ayyappa idol was adorned with 'Tiruvabharanam' (holy ornaments) brought from Pandalam palace in Pathanamthitta. Pandalam palace is believed to be the place where Ayyappa spent his childhood.</p><p>The police had made elaborate arrangements to manage the crowd and allowed only around 50,000 pilgrims through the virtual queue booking and spot booking facilities.</p><p>Around 40 lakh pilgrims visited the hill shrine during the two month-long pilgrimage which is ending with the Makaravilakku festival. It is considered to be the record number of footfalls during a pilgrimage seasons. </p><p>The arrangements for the pilgrimage were made under strict vigil of the Kerala High Court, especially in view of widespread complaints of poor crowd management during the last pilgrimage season. </p>