Amaravati, January 13, 2026: In east Godavari's Mandapeta mandal, the Sri Ayyappa Swamy Temple in Dwarapudi draws heavy crowds ahead of Makara Sankranti.
Popularly called Andhra Sabarimala, the shrine built in 1983 with public support and consecrated in 1989, serves as a key alternative for devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and beyond who cannot trek to Kerala's Sabarimala.
During the Mandala season, pilgrims observe a 41-day vow starting in Karthika month. Those unable to reach the original shrine offer irumudis here.
Daily footfall ranges from 6,000 to 10,000, with 600 to 2,000 irumudi offerings and nearly 3,000 receiving free annaprasadam. The temple features unique 18 steps from a single stone and over ten sub-shrines, with darshan timings from 6 am to noon and 4 pm to 8 pm.
