more-inThe two-month annual pilgrimage to the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala began on the first day in the Malayalam month of Vrischikom on Thursday. Bonded by devotion for Ayyappa, the pilgrims waited for hours together in long queues to have a glimpse of the deity. Devotees had to wait inside the iron barricades at the Valiyanadappanthal and on the Saramkuthy path for long to reach the temple Sopanam. The rituals began with the chief priest (Tantri) Kandararu Maheshwararu Mohanararu performing Ashtadravya Maha Ganapati Homom. MandalapujaThe Mandalapuja, marking the culmination of the 41-day Mandalam pilgrimage, will be held along with Utchapuja on December 26.

Source: The Hindu November 16, 2017 18:11 UTC