"I am entering into eternal meditation for the betterment of the world. However, every year at the time of Makara Sankranthi, I will wake up from my meditation and open my eyes to see the world. At that time you may adorn my idol with all the ornaments that you have made for my coronation ceremony and Makara Jyoti will appear in   the   Ponnambala Medu." Said Ayyappa swami  to King Rajashekara at the time of entering into meditation at Ponnambala Medu.

"Makara Sankranthi" (around 14th January) day is the  most  auspicious day at Sabarimala. The Jewel Casket is carried on head from the ancestral residence of the royal family of Panthalam to the Shrine on this day. A Garuda, the Brahaman kite, follows this ornaments-carrying procession, hovering about in the sky, After these ornaments are worn on the Lord the bird circles the temple in the sky three times and disappears. Excited by this sight the devotees begin to chant "Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa". 

  UTHRAM STAR

A Star(Uthram Nakshathra) that can never been seen in the sky appears on the day of Makarajyothi  before the sighting of the Jyoti. A Jyoti is seen for a little time on the hill top showing the presence of Swamy Ayyappan gracing his devotees.  "SWAMIYE  SARANAMAYYAPPA"