Ayyappa temple opens for Makaravilakku festival

Pathanamthitta, Dec 30 (UNI) Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala was opened for ''Makaravilakku'' festival today.

Melsanthi T K Krishnan Nampoothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 1530 hrs and lit the ceremonial lamps. The regular pujas would commence from tomorrow with ''Ganapathi Homam'' to be performed by Tantri Kantararu Maheswararu.

Hundreds of pilgrims, who thronged ''Sannidhanam'' chanted ''Swamiye Saranam'' in ecstasy.

Ambalappuzha and Alangad teams would enact the traditional ''Pettathullal'' at Erumeli on January 11.

The procession carrying ''Thiruvabharanam'' will set off from Valiyakoickal Sastha Temple at Pandalam to Sannidhanam on January 12.

The ''Pampa Vilakku'' and ''Pampa Sadya'' would be held on January 13.

Makaravilakku falls on January 14. Thiruvabharanam procession would reach the temple on the same day.

Deeparadhana would be performed after adorning the idol with 'Thiruabharanam'. 'Kalabhabhishekam' would be held on January 18, prior to 'Uchapooja'.

'Guruthy'' would be performed at Malikkapuram on January 19. The shrine would be closed at 1900 hrs on January 20 after darshan by the emissary from Pandalam Palace.

UNI