KOCHI: The famed ‘Makam Thozhal’ festival drew devotees to Chottanikkara temple in large numbers on Saturday.
Thousands arrived at the temple early in the morning, while many had slept on the temple premises the day before. The Chottanikkara Devaswom had made elaborate arrangements, including pandals and barricades, for devotees, in addition to free food and drinking water for those who waited in queues during the day.
The festivities began with an ‘Arattu Ezhunellippu’ to Onnakuttichira at 5.30 a.m. Special poojas were held. Chief priest Elavally Puliyannur Jayanthan Namboothiripad and Mekkad Narayanan Namboothiri performed the rituals.
Later, the offerings made by devotees were received at the temple ground to the accompaniment of ‘melams’ and elephants.
The sanctum sanctorum was closed at 1 p.m. The ritualistic opening of the sanctum sanctorum for special Darsan was held at 2 p.m.
The festivities concluded around 8.30 p.m.
