Sabarimala closed after five-day monthly poojas

Pathanamthitta, July 21 (UNI) The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala closed today marking the culmination of five-day monthly ''poojas'' in the Malayalam month of ''Karkadakam.'' Apart from ''Udayasthamaya pooja'' and ''padipooja'', an auspicious ''kalabhabhishekam'' was performed today.

Tantri Kantararu Rajeevaru offered ''pooja'' to ''brahmakalasam'' before filling it with sandal paste.

Melsanthi E Eswaran Nampoothiri carried the ''brahma kalasam'' in a colourful procession embellished with percussion instruments into the sanctum sanctorum.

Afterwards, coinciding with the time of ''uchapooja,'' Tantri poured ''kalabham'' on the idol of Lord Ayyappa.

Despite, incessant rain, hundreds of devotees thronged ''sannidhanam'' to witness the unique ritual. The hill-shrine was closed after ''athazhapooja'' late in the evening amid singing of ''harivarasanam.'' The Ayyappa Temple will reopen on July 28 at 1730 hrs for annual ''niraputhari'' celebration, which falls on July 29 between 0620 hrs and 0645 hrs.

Devotees in hundreds would bring first reaped paddy spikes to be dedicated to Lord Ayyappa invoking blessings for a year of prosperity.

UNI