The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala witnessed heavy rush on Wednesday. Cricketer S. Sreesanth was among those who undertook the pilgrimage to the forest shrine in the morning.
Laksharchana, Sahasrakalasabhishekom, and Kalabhabhishekom were performed at the temple prior to the Utchapuja on Wednesday.
Twenty priests took part in the Laksharchana ritual held at the Namaskara Mandapam in the forenoon.
Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu performed the Brahmakalasapuja.
Brahmakalasapuja and Kalabhapuja were held at the Namaskara Mandapam and the two golden urns carrying the holy water and kalabhom (sandal paste) were taken out in a procession to the sanctum sanctorum.
The Tantri, assisted by Melsanthi E.N. Krishnadas Namboodiri performed the ritual by pouring the holy water and sandal paste over the Ayyappa idol.