Many devotees believe that Makara Jyothi and Makara Vilakku are the same. However, they are actually two different events, even though both are seen on the same day at Sabarimala.
In simple terms, Makara Jyothi is a natural celestial event, while Makara Vilakku is a ritual performed by people.
The word “Makara” refers to both the zodiac sign Capricorn and the Malayalam month of Makaram, which begins around January 14 or 15. “Jyothi” means light, and “Vilakku” means lamp. This is where the difference begins.
Makara Jyothi refers to a bright star that appears in the sky on the first day of the Makaram month, around sunset. This star is believed to be Sirius. On this special day, after the deeparadhana at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, devotees see this light in the sky and believe it represents the divine presence of Lord Ayyappa. Because the sacred ornaments of the Lord are brought to the temple on this day, the sighting of the star becomes very sacred.
Makara Vilakku appears shortly after Makara Jyothi. Devotees see a bright flame on a distant hill opposite the temple. Many believe this light to be a divine offering. However, in reality, this light comes from Ponnambala Medu, a place where tribal communities live. They light a ceremonial flame using ghee and camphor as part of a traditional ritual. This ritual light is what devotees see as Makara Vilakku.
It has been officially clarified that Makara Vilakku is a man-made ritual and not a celestial or supernatural event.
To sum it up, Makara Jyothi is a star seen in the sky, while Makara Vilakku is a sacred lamp lit by people as part of a tradition. Both are important in their own way and together mark the completion of the Sabarimala pilgrimage, allowing devotees to receive Lord Ayyappa’s blessings with understanding and devotion.
