Sabarimala opens for Makaravilakku festival; Chief priest in quarantine

Pilgrims thronged Sabarimala Ayyappa temple from the wee hours of thursday with the commencement of Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The Lord Ayyappa temple opened on Wednesday evening at 5 pm for Makravilakku festival, even as the chief priest quarantined himself after coming into contact with three covid positive people. The auspicious date falls on January 14^th and the shrine would be closed on January 20. As per the temple custom ,the chief priest can descend the holy hills only after one year after he take charge at the hill temple.