Sabarimala, Saturday, January 14, 2012: The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple here is gearing up for the ‘Makaravilakku’ festival, scheduled on January 15.

A Control room for disaster management was opened today at Sabarimala Sannidhanam during the time of the Makaravilakku considering huge rush of devotees to Lord Ayyappa hill shrine.

The district administration has launched elaborate preparations to ensure a smooth and trouble-free Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala to be held tomorrow. District administration has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to make necessary arrangements to serve medicated drinking water and biscuits to the pilgrims waiting in the queue inside the barricades along the Marakkoottom- Sannidhanam stretch of the traditional path as they have to wait in the long-winding queue even up to 15 hours during the rush days.