Mandalapooja held at lord Ayyappa temple

Pathanamthitta, Dec 27 (UNI) The auspicious 'Mandala pooja' was held at Sabarimala lord Ayyappa temple today marking the culmination of 41-day-long 'Mandalam' pilgrimage season.

Tantri Kantaru Maheswarary led the ritual performed between 1229 hrs and 1240 hrs in 'Meenam Rasi.' The Ayyappa idol was adorned with 'Thanka Anki' brought from Aranmula Parthasarathi temple.

Earlier, the 'Neyyabhishekam' was stopped at 1000 hrs. Then 'Kalabha pooja' began at 1030 hrs at the Eastern 'Mandapam' under the guidance of Tantri Kantaru Maheswarary, who filled the 'Brahmakalasam' with sandal paste. At 1200 hrs, the 'Brahma Kalasam' was carried by Melsanthi T K Krishnan Nampoothiri in a procession into the sanctum sanctorum and Tantri performed the 'Kalabhabhishekam.' Tens of thousands of pilgrims thronged the 'Sannidhanam' to witness the 'Mandalapooja.' Among those present on the occasion were Devaswom Board member P K Sumathikuttiyamma, Special Commissioner M Rajendran Nair, Special Officer K Jayakumar, Devaswom Commissioner C G Sachithanandan, Devaswom Chief Engineer G Rajagopal, Sabarimala Executive Officer B Unnikrishnan and Sabarimala Police Special Officer S Sreejith.

The temple will close at 2200 hrs after 'Athazha Pooja' amid singing of 'Harivarasanam' today. It will be reopened on December 30 at 1730 hrs for 'Makaravilakku' festival.

The 'Makaravilakku Day' falls on January 14.

UNI