Thrissur, 15 April (H.S.):Devotees thronged the revered Guruvayur Temple on the occasion of Vishu, with thousands arriving in the early hours to witness the auspicious Vishukkani.

Between 2:55 a.m. and 3:55 a.m., large numbers of devotees had darshan of the sacred arrangement, marking the beginning of the Malayalam New Year with spiritual fervour. Authorities expect tens of thousands more devotees to visit the temple throughout the day, leading to heightened crowd management measures.

The temple administration has implemented extensive arrangements to ensure smooth darshan. Priority has been given to devotees standing in the general queue as part of efforts to regulate the heavy rush. For senior citizens and local residents, darshan has been restricted through a token system, with only the first 500 individuals from each category being accommodated.

Tokens for senior citizens are being distributed from the ghee lamp counter located outside the Bhagavathi shrine, while local residents can collect tokens from the western entrance starting at 3:30 a.m. Devotees who have booked the Neyy Vilakku offering are permitted darshan from 7:30 a.m. onwards. Officials have indicated that additional restrictions may be imposed if the crowd surges beyond manageable levels.

To streamline movement, a one-way system has been introduced for devotees entering through the eastern gate, particularly near the temple’s Deepasthambham. Security has been significantly strengthened, with a large police deployment working alongside temple security personnel to ensure safety.

Special Vishu rituals include the traditional Namaskara Sadya, with paal payasam as a highlight. Cultural events such as Kazcha Seeveli and a ceremonial procession accompanied by nadaswaram music and illuminated displays are also scheduled for the evening.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman