Thousands of pilgrims thronged the premises of the Sree Mahadevar temple, Vaikom on Sunday evening to witness the ‘Rishabha
Vahanam’ procession, a key ritual marking the seventh day of the ongoing annual Ashtami celebrations.
The ritual began around 11 p.m with the idol of the main deity, Lord Parameswara, being taken on a procession, after being mounted on the silver bullock.
The rituals on the Ashtami day, which falls on November 30, will commence with an ‘ushapuja’ at 2.30 a.m.
The temple sanctum will be opened for darshan at 4.30 a.m. Devotees from other States, including Sabarimala pilgrims, are expected to turn up on the occasion.
High Court judge Justice N. Nagaresh will inaugurate the Hindu religious convention to be held at 6 p.m., which will be presided over by Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar.
Conclusion
The 13-day Ashtami festival will conclude on December 1 with the arattu festival at 6 p.m. and the Koodipooja vilakku at Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple at 11 p.m. on that day.
