Pathanamthitta: The atmosphere in Sabarimala temple was filled with the fervorous recital of Ayyappa sarana mantras by the pilgrims who had gathered during the Makara Sankranthi ritual, on Thursday morning, the day of Makaravialkku, here at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
Thanthri (Vedic head) Kandararu Rajeevaru and Melshanthi (Head priest) V K Jayaraj Potti led the elaborate special pooja and rituals for Makara Sankranthi at the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple.
The temple nada opened at 5 am. After the regular Nirmalya darshanam and regular abhishekam (anointment), the most important event of a Makaravilakku day, the Makara Sankranthi pooja was performed at 8.14 am.
The ghee brought from Kowdiar Palace in Ayyappa mudras (coconuts filled with ghee) was anointed on the Ayyappa idol ceremoniously by the Thanthri and the special pooja was performed.
State Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, MLA Raju Abraham, Travancore Devaswom Board President Adv N Vasu, other board members Adv K S Ravi, P M Thankappan, Devaswom Department Principal Secretary K R Jyothilal, Sabarimala Special Commissioner M Manoj, ADGP S Sreejith and Travancore Devaswom Board Commissioner B S Thirumeni were present at the Sannidhanam during the ritual.
Other than the pilgrims, the staff and officials with the Devaswom Board and other departments, were all present at the temple on Thursday morning, during the ritual. As part of following the COVID protocol, there were regulations at the Sannidhanam and the premises for darshan on Makaravilakku day.
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