Kerala: Devotees of Lord Ayyapa began the three-day-long ceremonial procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala on Monday in observance of the annual Makaravilakku festival.
This year's Makaravilakku day falls on Wednesday which is why the Sabarimala-bound procession carrying the 'Thiruvabharanam' - the sacred jewellery of the presiding deity - in three wooden boxes began two days before the auspicious occasion.
The procession led by Gangadhara Pillai and followed by twenty four men will take the sacred jewellery to 'Sannidhanam' - the main temple - on January 15.
The 'Thiruvabharanam' was taken out of the palace strongroom in the morning and was handed over to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) authorities later in the day.
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A good number of devotees from different parts of the country flocked the Pandalam to worship the 'Thiruvabharanam', which is kept at the Srambickal palace adjoining the Valiyakoickal Sastha temple during the annual pilgrimage season.
