Sabarimala: The authorities at the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala have increased darshan timings to 16 hours a day during the latest pilgrimage season, which commenced on Friday. The temple now opens daily at 3 am, allowing devotees to have darshan until 1 pm.
After a brief closure, the temple reopens at 4 pm and remains accessible until 11 pm, marking the day’s end with the recital of ‘Harivarasanam’. To alleviate crowding, authorities now permit pilgrims to climb the ‘Padinettam Padi’ at night, even after the sanctum sanctorum is closed.
This arrangement enables devotees to have darshan without enduring long lines when the temple opens at 3 pm.
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Pilgrims expressed relief at the extended darshan timings. Previously, during the monthly rituals period, the temple was open only from 5 am to 10 pm. Notably, a significant number of pilgrims have utilized the extended timings.
After offering prayers at 3 am, many devotees descend the hill by 4 am. Additionally, the temple experienced thin crowds in the initial days of the annual pilgrimage, with queues forming only during puja time at the ‘Valiya Nadapanthal’.
