In view of unprecedented rush of devotees, security arrangements have been strengthened at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala.
Some 10,000 police personnel have been deployed in and around the temple and down-hill Pamba to control the crowd and ensure smooth movement of devotees, official sources said.
The 'Makaravillaku', sighting of celestial light considered to be the most auspicious event of the festival, falls on January 14, bringing the curtain down on the two-month long pilgrimage season.
Sabarimala has been witnessing heavy rush of pilgrims in last few days and devotees have to wait for nearly 20 hours to have a darshan.
Meanwhile, the 'Thiruvabharanam' procession, carrying the sacred ornaments to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa on the day of Makaravillaku, started from Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district.
The procession would reach the hill shrine on January 14 afternoon and the idol of Lord Ayyappa would be adorned with the ornaments during the evening 'Deeparadhana'.
The procession is accompanied by hundreds of devotees and armed policemen.
Every year, the ornaments are taken to Sabarimala from Pandalam palace where it is kept.
After the festival season, the ornaments are taken back to the palace for safe custody.
