Source: The Hindu
PATHANAMTHITTA, INDIA, December 26, 2001: The 41-day annual Mandalam festival at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple came to a close with the Mandala puja today. The Ayyappa idol was adorned with the sacred golden attire, the Thanka Anki, which was was brought to Sabarimala in a procession on Tuesday evening prior to the puja. The Ayyappa temple will be opened on January 1, 2002, for the Makaravilaku festival that begins on January 2 morning. the Makaravilaku day falls on January 14 and the temple will close after the 18 day Makaravilakku festival on January 20 morning.