With six days left for the culmination of the 41-day Mandalam pilgrimage season, Sabarimala continues to witness rush of devotees from different parts of south India.
According to official sources, 70,000 pilgrims crossed the police checkpost at Pampa by 4 p.m. on Friday.
Travancore Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar said that the pilgrims seldom felt any push and pull at the holy hillock as in the previous years due to the systematic pilgrim management this time around.
As many as 93,000 pilgrims offered prayers at the Ayyappa temple three days ago.
Thanka Anki procession
He said the customary procession carrying the Thanka Anki (golden attire) of the presiding deity for the Mandalapuja would set off from the Sree Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula on Sunday.
The procession will reach Sabarimala on December 26 and the presiding deity will be adorned with the Thanka Anki prior to the evening deeparadhana. The deity will be adorned with the golden attire prior to the Mandalapuja on December 27.