5 months ago
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Thousands of pilgrims connected Saturday thronged the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple present to witnesser the Mandala puja, marking the culmination of the 41-day-long archetypal limb of the yearly Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
The Mandala puja was performed aft adorning the deity with “Thanka Anki,” the ineffable aureate attire brought to the temple analyzable successful a ceremonial procession connected Friday evening. The rituals were performed betwixt 10.10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. successful the greeting nether the aegis of temple Tantri (head priest) Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru, who adorned the idol with the attire, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials present said.
Long queues of pilgrims, including those from different States, wearing the customary achromatic attire and carrying “Irumudikettu” (sacred bundle) connected their heads could beryllium seen connected the Sannidhanam since the aboriginal hours. After the rendition of Harivarasanam (lullaby to Ayyappa) astatine 10 p.m., the temple volition beryllium closed, marking the culmination of the Mandala puja season, the TDB said.
The temple volition unfastened astatine 5 p.m. connected December 30 for the Makaravilakku festival, they added.
