The Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala witnessed heavy rush as the five-day rituals in the Malayalam month of Karkidakom began on Monday.
The rituals began with chief priest (Tantri) Kandararu Maheswararu, assisted by head priest (Melsanthi) N.Balamurali, performing the Ashtadravya Maha Ganapati homom followed by the Ushapuja in the morning.
The Tantri also led the auspicious Laksharchana ritual, held at the Namaskara Mandapam. The Brahmakalasapuja for the Sahasrakalasabhishekom and Kalabhabhishekom was performed in the forenoon.
The Brahmakalasom, carrying holy water and the sandal paste in two golden urns, were taken out in a ceremonial procession, with the accompaniments of the sacred Marappani and traditional temple percussion to the sanctum sanctorum prior to the Utchapuja .
The Tantri poured the sandal paste and the Brahmakalasom over the Ayyappa idol, marking the culmination of the ritual. The sandal paste ( Kalabhom ), offered to the deity, was distributed as prasadom among the devotees, later.
Padipuja , Udayasthamanapuja , and Pushpabhishekom were the other important rituals performed at the Ayyappa temple on Monday. The Ayyappa temple will be closed after the Athazhapuja on July 20, marking the culmination of the five-day monthly rituals in Karkidakom .
