: The Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala was closed on Tuesday after the customary darsan for the representative of the Pandalam Palace, Kerala Varma Raja, marking the end of the two-month Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season.
Head priest (Melsanthi), E.N. Krishnadas Namboodiri, opened the temple at 5.30 a.m. Tantri Kandararu Rajeevararu, assisted by the Melsanthi, performed the Ashtadravya Maha Ganapati homom.
Later, the Melsanthi closed the sanctum sanctorum and handed over the keys to the royal representative who, in turn, gave a purse as dakshina to the priest.
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The royal-designate and his entourage descended the holy 18-steps (Pathinettampady) and returned the keys to the Melsanthi at the Lower Tirumattom, in the presence of the Devaswom Executive Officer and Administrative Officer.
Pandalam Palace
The royal-designate escorted the procession carrying the Thiruvabharanam back to Pandalam Palace.
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They were accorded a reception at Nilackal. A group of devotees from Kozhencherry served them mid-day feast.
Halt for the night
The procession halted for the night at the Laha Sathram.
It will proceed to Perinad on Wednesday morning. The deity at Perinad Sastha Temple will be adorned with the sacred jewellery prior to the Utchapuja.
The Thiruvabharanam procession will resume its journey to Pandalam on Thursday morning.
Aranmula
The royal entourage will stop for the night at Aranmula.
The Thiruvabharanam will be taken back to Pandalam on Friday.
The Devaswom authorities would then return the jewellery to the palace authorities for safe-keeping in the strong room of the Srambickal Palace till the next Makaravilakku festival.