Representative of the Pandalam Palace P. Raghava Varma was accorded a customary ceremonial reception on his arrival at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam on Wednesday afternoon.
As it is being the custom and tradition, Mr. Varma who reached Pampa, escorting the Thiruvabharanam procession, on January 14 stayed back there, sending the jewel boxes carrying the sacred jewellery to the Sannidhanam for the Makaravilakku festival.
The entourage reached Sabarimala by 5 p.m. and the Travancore Devaswom Board escorted Mr. Varma in a ceremonial procession to the Sannidhanam.
He was received by the Melsanthi V.N. Vasudevan Namboodiri and the Devaswom officials beside the holy 18-steps. Mr. Varma cracked a coconut given to him by the Melsanthi and ascended the steps leading to the Ayyappa temple.
Mr. Varma placed the golden dagger brought from the palace in front of the sanctum sanctorum for the Melsanthi to keep it on the right side of the deity.
After worshipping the deity and offering prayers at the temple dedicated to Ganapati, Nagaraja, and other cohorts of Lord Ayyappa, Mr. Varma proceeded to Malikapuram where he will be staying for the next three days.
Sabarimala witnessed heavy rush of pilgrims on Wednesday too.
