Hundreds throng Sabarimala, braving heavy rain in forests
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Kochi: The holy hillock of Sabarimala witnessed heavy rush as hundreds of devotees from different parts of south India thronged the Ayyappa Temple to worship the deity on the first day in the holy Malayalam month of Karkidakom on Friday.
There was heavy rain in the forests through the day. Pilgrims, carrying the sacred bundle (Irumudikkettu) trekked the Neelimala and Appachimedu, braving the heavy downpour.
Devotees waited in long queues for darshan soon after the temple was opened at 5 am. The rituals began with the Tantri, Kandararu Rajevararu, performing the Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathi homom in the morning followed by Ashtabhishekom and Neyyabhishekom. He was assisted by the Melsanthi, E.N.Krishnadas Namboodiri, who performed the Kalabhapuja at the Namskara Mandapam in the forenoon.
The Kalabhabhishekom was performed prior to the Utchapuja and the Kalabhom (sandal paste) offered to the deity was distributed as prasadom to the devotees, later.
Udayasthamanapuja, Padipooja and Pushpabhishekom were the other important rituals held at the Ayyappa Temple on Friday.
According to the Tantri, a Sahasrakalasabhishekom will be performed on all days from Saturday to July 22.
The annual Niraputhari festival will be celebrated at the Ayyappa Temple on July 22.
The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on April 22 evening
There was heavy rain in the forests through the day. Pilgrims, carrying the sacred bundle (Irumudikkettu) trekked the Neelimala and Appachimedu, braving the heavy downpour.
Devotees waited in long queues for darshan soon after the temple was opened at 5 am. The rituals began with the Tantri, Kandararu Rajevararu, performing the Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathi homom in the morning followed by Ashtabhishekom and Neyyabhishekom. He was assisted by the Melsanthi, E.N.Krishnadas Namboodiri, who performed the Kalabhapuja at the Namskara Mandapam in the forenoon.
The Kalabhabhishekom was performed prior to the Utchapuja and the Kalabhom (sandal paste) offered to the deity was distributed as prasadom to the devotees, later.
Udayasthamanapuja, Padipooja and Pushpabhishekom were the other important rituals held at the Ayyappa Temple on Friday.
According to the Tantri, a Sahasrakalasabhishekom will be performed on all days from Saturday to July 22.
The annual Niraputhari festival will be celebrated at the Ayyappa Temple on July 22.
The temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on April 22 evening
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