Pathanamthitta: The large influx of Sabarimala pilgrims seeking darshan has decreased. The Mandala Puja, marking the conclusion of the Mandala season pilgrimage, will take place on Thursday.

The Mandala Puja will take place between 11.57 pm and 12.30 am, with Tantri Kandararu Brahmadatta officiating the ceremony. The temple will close at 1 am.

After the Deeparadhana, donning Thanka Anki, thousands of devotees made their way down the hill. Although the temple closed at 11 pm on Wednesday, a long queue stretched all the way to Saramkuthi.

The crowd was managed by redirecting devotees to the Pahthinettam Padi (eighteenth step), allowing them to have darshan through the northern step in the morning. By 7 am, the footpath was cleared. Hence, the next batch of pilgrims will be able to ascend the steps and have darshan without delay. 

A total of 60,000 pilgrims will have the opportunity for darshan through the virtual queue, while 5,000 will be accommodated through spot booking today. Pilgrims will not be allowed to enter Pampa after 7 pm. The temple will reopen on December 30 for the Makara Vilak festival.