Devotees throng Sabarimala temple to witness 'Niraputhari'

Pathanamthitta, July 29 (UNI) Hundreds of devotees today thronged the 'Sannidhanam' of the famous Sabarimala hill shrine to witness the annual 'Niraputhari'.

Melsanthi E Eswaran Nampoothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 0500 hrs, after which a 'Ganapathi Homam' was performed by Tantri Kantararu Rajeevaru at Eastern Mandapam.

The newly harvested paddy spikes brought by the devotees as offerings were kept at the foot of the flag-mast. The Tantri sprinkled 'Theertham' on the bundles of spikes to purify them.

Later, Melsanthi and his assistants took the sheafs of spikes to the Eastern Mandapam in a procession, to the accompaniment of percussion instruments. After special poojas conducted by the Tantri, the paddy spikes were taken into the sanctum sanctorum and placed on the sides of Ayyappa idol before performing 'Deeparadhana.' Then, the Sreekovil and 'Sopanam' were decorated with the paddy spikes. The rest of the spikes were distributed to the devotees as 'Prasadam' by Tantri and Melsanthi.

Special poojas like 'Sahasra Kalasabhishekam,' 'Kalabhabhishekam' and 'Leksharchana' were also performed.

The hill-shrine would close today after Athazha pooja and reopen on August 16 for poojas in the Malayalam month of 'Chingam.' UNI