Deeparadhana at Ayyappa temple marking Makaravilakku

Pathanamthitta, Jan 14(UNI) The long-awaited 'Deeparadhana' was performed at Lord Ayyappa Temple on 'Makaravilakku'day, at 1835 hrs today.

Prior to 'Deeparadhana,' The Lord Ayyappa Idol was adonred with 'Thiruvabharanam' brought from Pandalam Valiyakoickal Sastha Temple.

Coiciding with Deeparadhana, the auspicious 'Makara Star' shone in the eastern horizon. The Holi Hillock of Lord Ayyappa had been turned into a sea of humanity.

Soon after Deeparadhana at 1838 hrs ''Makarajyothi'', the celestial light, flickered thrice in the horizon over Ponnambalamedu. Lakhs and lakhs of pilgrims danced in ecstacy chanting in pitched tone 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.' Earlier, the '' Thiruvabharanam procession'' reached ''Saramkuthy'' around 1700 hrs. It was accorded a rousing reception by Devaswam Board officials and taken in a colourful procession to Sannidhanam. At the 18-sacred steps, Thiruvabharanam was received by Devaswam Minister G Sudhakaran, Devaswam Board President C K Guptan, Board Members P Narayanan and P K Sumathikkutty Amma, Devaswam Special Commissioner M Rajendran Nair, Sabarimala Special Officer K Jayakumar, Additional Director General of Police P R Raajeevan and District Collector Raju Narayana Swamy.

At 'Sopanam' Tantri Kantaru Mahjeswararu and Melsanthi T K Krishnan Nampoothiri took possession of the sacred ornaments and took them into the Sanctum Sanctorum for Deeparadhana.

The temple was closed at 1100 hrs, after 'Athazha Pooja' and reopened at 1130 hrs for 'Makara Samkrama Pooja.' At 1230 hrs, Tantri performed the 'Samkrama Pooja' and Abhishekam.' The hill shrine was closed at 1230 hrs amid the singing of 'Harivarasanam.' UNI XR CGV KVV MIR RS2145