Special poojas

Special poojas were performed at the Ayyappa Swamy temple near the Mangamoor road on Thursday coinciding with the beginning of the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala for the two-month-long Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival.

Dressed like Pandala Maharaja, a devotee brought the Thiruabaranam (jewels) in a colourful procession to the temple abutting the picturesque Rangarayudu Chervu here. The Ayyappa devotees from far and near took part in the ‘Padi pooja’ to welcome the ‘mandalam' season with devotional fervour.