SANNIDHANAM: In contrast with the recent tensions at Sabarimala over the issue of women’s entry, thousands had a peaceful darshan of the Makaravilakku at the hill shrine on Monday evening.Devotees who celebrated their faith on Mankarasankarama day by dancing, playing instruments and singing, slipped into a frenzy of devotion as soon as they witnessed the Makaravilakku over Ponnambalamedu at 6.34pm.Devotees were camping at every possible location, from pavements to building roof tops at Sannidanam and they rushed to get a glance of the deity at the sanctum sanctorum as the barricades were opened for darshan soon after the vilakku sighting.The crowd had gathered at Sannidhanam as early as 3pm.At about 4.45pm, the devaswom board members set off to welcome the Thiruvabharana procession. Sharanam chants echoed as the procession reached Sannidanam and passed through the 18 steps by 6.15pm.Soon after the bells marking the beginning of deeparadhana rang, at 6.34pm the first Jyoti appeared atop Ponnambalamedu, with two more following. ‘Uthram’ star however was not properly visible from Sannidhanam as the eastern sky remained clouded.The frenzy which followed, forced police to cordon off the devotees. Makarasankrama puja was performed at the temple at 7.52pm.Earlier, the eighth edition of the state government’s Harivarasanam Award for promotion of secular thought and devotion toward Ayyappa, was presented to singer P Susheela by devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran.Surendran said that the state government was able to successfully conduct the Mandala-Makaravilaku festival despite being under pressure following the recent floods and the duty to execute the Supreme Court on women’s entry. He added that what is happening at Sannidhanam is the will of Ayyappa.“Sabarimala went through a tough time this year. Some people turned Sabarimala into a venue of protests for meagre political gains. They spread lies in the state and outside that things were not going well at Sabarimala. The party that is ruling the country was at the forefront of these campaigns. However, Ayyappa’s wishes prevailed,” said the minister.He said that the government got only two months after the floods for restoration and rebuilding. Sill, the devotees were provided with ample amenities. He also said that the move to shift base camp from Pamba to Nilackal was a huge success.

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