Ten-day Sabarimala Temple festival gets underway

Pathanamthitta, Apr 2 (UNI) The ten-day annual Sabarimala Temple festival got underway today with the flag-hoisting ceremony.

The preliminary 'poojas' began after ''Ushapooja''. Tantri Kantaru Mohanaru offered special 'poojas' to the flag placed on a lotus design at the eastern mandapam.

Later, the flag was carried into the sanctum sanctorum and invoked the spirit of Lord Ayyappa into it. Later, it was hoisted on the golden mast by Tantri Mohanaru at 0818 hrs amidst loud chanting of ''Sarana Mantras''.

Travancore Devaswam Board member Punalur Madhu, Devaswam Commissioner C G Sachithanandan and Executive Officer V S Rajagopalan Nair were among those present.

Security had been tightened at Pampa and Sannidhanam in view of the ongoing festival.

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