''Thanka Anki'' procession to Sabarimala begins

Pathanamthitta, Dec 23 (UNI) Hundreds of devotees witnessed the ceremonial procession to Sabarimala, carrying ''Thanka Anki''--the golden attire of Lord Ayyappa, which began from Aranmula Parthasarathi Temple today.

After special rituals like ''Ganapathi Homam'' was performed, the ''Thanka Anki'' was kept for the devotees to offer worship.

Travancore Devaswom Board Member P K Sumathykkutty Amma, former MLA Maleth Saraladevi, Devaswam Board Special Commissioner M Rajendran Nair, Chief Engineer Rajagopal, Deputy Commissioner Saraswathy Kunjamma and Hindu Aikyavedi State Secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan, were among those present on the occasion.

The 'Thanka Anki'', weighing 420 sovereigns, was dedicated to Lord Ayyappa by Sree Chithirathiunal Balrama Varma of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom in 1973.

The Ayyappa Idol would be decorated with the 'Thanka Anki' during the Mandala Pooja on December 27.

The procession would reach Pampa at noon on December 26. From there, the 'Thanka Anki' would be carried on head by Ayyappa Seva Sangham volunteers to 'Sannidhanam'.

A contingent of armed police escorted the procession.

UNI