Saranam Ayappa 
News
Kerala gears up for `Makarajyothi'
Sabarimala : The Kerala government Thursday said it was making elaborate arrangements for the 'Makar Jyothi' day of the Sabarimala temple pilgrimage, during which last year over 100 people were killed in a stampede. Speaking to reporters here, state Devasom Minister V.S. Sivakumar said: "It has been decided that on that day (Jan 15) no pilgrim will be allowed to watch the celestial light sitting on tree tops. All the hills in the vicinity of the temple where the pilgrims can stand to see the spectacle would be adequately lit up and there would be more than enough barricades set up to see that the crowd is controlled." Makara Jyothi light is the most important event of a two-month pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. According to believers, the sighting of the celestial light is auspicious and over the last few years, there has been a huge influx of pilgrims to witness it. Last season's disaster had occurred at the nearby hillock in Pullumedu when thousands of pilgrims were returning after witnessing the 'Makara Jyothi'. However, following the tragedy, the Travancore Devasom Board (that looks after the Sabarimala temple administration) had told the Kerala High Court that the celestial light is a man-made event. The Sabarimala temple is situated on the Western Ghat ranges, four km uphill from Pamba in Pathanamthitta district in central Kerala. It is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrim centres in India.News
