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`Devaprasnam' at Sabarimala reveals flaws in temple affairs

Staff Reporter

Four-day astrological ritual begins at Lord Ayyappa temple

SEEKING DIVINE WILL: The `swarnanyasom' that marked the beginning of the `devaprasnom' at Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala on Friday.

PATHANAMTHITTA: A four-day `ashtamangla devaprasnam' began at the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala on Friday with the customary `swarnanyasom.'

The astrological ritual, for seeking divine will by analysing planetary positions and with the help of random sampling techniques, is led by the astrologer Parppanangady Unnikrishna Panicker.

Tantri Kantaru Mohanaru performed the puja in connection with the swarnanyasom, better known as `rasivaickal.'

Travancore Devaswom Board president G. Raman Nair, accompanied by the members M.B. Sreekumar and Punalur Madhu, offered `dakshina' and `thamboolom' (a bunch of betel leaves) with an areca nut to the chief astrologer and his assistants prior to the swarnanyasom.

A nine-year- old girl, Lekshmipriya from Haripad, who was present at the temple sopanam was invited to the Eastern Mandapam by the chief astrologer for keeping a gold coin in one of the 12 columns of the zodiac (Rasi chakram) drawn on the floor as part of the ritual.

Mr Panicker said that, prima facie, the swarnanyasom, zodiac signs and other astrological parameters had revealed certain serious flaws in the temple affairs, affecting the very sanctity of the Ayyappa temple.

He said a threadbare discussion was needed to find out the flaws and prescribe atonement rituals and other remedial measures. The signs are all inauspicious, indicating that the presiding deity is in utter displeasure.

He said the astrologers would analyse the findings of the swarnanyasom at the detailed discussions to be followed at the holy hillock, before preparing a detailed chart on the entire event and prescribing the atonement rituals.

The noted astrologers Payyannur Kunjirama Panicker, Cheruvally Narayanan Namboodiri, Enadi Mohanan, K.P. Mohanan Namboodiri, Ajithan Namboodiri, Edamuttom Madhusoodhanan, Ulyeri Rarichankutty, Cherukunnu Dinesan and Palathully Krishnankutty Panicker have been assisting Mr Panicker. It will come to a close on June 19.

Meanwhile, sahasrakalasom was performed at the temple prior to utcha puja on Friday and another one will be held on Saturday. Tantri Kantaru Mohanaru performed the kalasabhishekom. Kalabhabhishekom will be performed on June 17 and 19.

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`Devaprasnam' at Sabarimala reveals flaws in temple affairs

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