Secrets and Controversy Behind Sabarimala Makara Vilakku

Makara Vilakku and Makara Jyothi, the Difference

Makara Vilakku is a yearly event that happens in Sabarimala during Makara Sankranti. There are also some secrets (not anymore) and controversies regarding the same.

To begin with, let us have a look at the difference between Makara Vilakku and Makara Jyothi.

Makara Jyothi is a star that appears in the sky on the day of Makara Vilakku every year. It is said that no other star except for that one special star appears in the sky. Pilgrims from many parts of the country visit the Sabarimala temple on this day. This fetches the Kerala Government a huge amount of money. The Sabarimala pilgrimage is the second largest pilgrimage in India.

Makara Vilakku is a natural light that appears on the Ponnambalamedu hills in Sabarimala. It appears for three times during Makara Vilakku and disappears once the Makara Vilakku event gets over, which is after the Thiruvaabharanam (the precious ornaments of Lord Ayyappa) are placed on the lord.

Now the whole controversy is about the Makara Vilakku only. A lot of people believe that it appears naturally, while a lot say that it is man-made. It is a deeply ingrained sentiment and belief for those who say that Makara Vilakku is a natural phenomenon. For ages, this has been the belief, though it has raised a lot of questions in the minds of people in the current times. But, recent revelations have made it clear that the Makara Vilakku is man-made.

Government Clarifies About Makara Vilakku

The Ponnambalamedu Hills where the Makara Vilakku is lighted is a dense forest and it under the protection of the Kerala Government. The Government made it clear that the officials light the Makara Vilakku every year, by coordinating the timing with wireless services from the temple. A former employee of the KSEB has also confirmed to have witnessed this. This is carried out because of the faiths of the pilgrims. Earlier, the tribes of the village used to light this lamp during the event, but now that they have become extinct, it has been taken over by the Government.

The Creation of Makara Vilakku

Makara Vilakku is a huge fire created by burning large amounts of camphor in a bowl from the bottom of the Ponnambalamedu hills. Then, it is extinguished by using wet sacks. This process is carried out three times. Since this area is under the control of the Kerala Government, no one other than the officials is allowed to enter this place without the Government’s permission.

The Appearance of the Eagle in the Sky

Every year during the Makara Vilakku event, the precious ornaments of the Lord called Thiruvabharanam are taken from the Old Palace where it is kept, to the temple in a procession. During this whole time, an eagle is said to guide by flying in the sky. Once the ornaments reach the temple, the eagle makes 9 rounds in the sky above the temple as a mark of respect and vanishes after that. People say that otherwise the eagle is rarely found. An eagle is considered as Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism. This miracle still remains a mystery.