PATHANAMTHITTA(Kerala) : Close to two lakh devotees have visited Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala since the hill shrine temple opened for the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.

According to figures available till 12 pm on November 18, a total of 1,96,594 pilgrims had darshan of Lord Ayyappa. The count includes devotees who arrived through both virtual queue and spot booking.

The temple opened at 5 PM on November 16 for the pilgrimage season, after which 53,278 devotees visited on the same day. On November 17, marking Vrischikam 1, the pilgrim flow increased, recording 98,915 visitors. On November 18, until noon, another 44,401 devotees reached the shrine for darshan.

The Mandala-Makaravilakku season traditionally witnesses a heavy influx of pilgrims, and this year’s init

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