Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

Purification rituals conclude in Sabarimala

Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA: The five-day monthly puja in the Malayalam month of `Vrischikom' began at Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala after the completion of purification rituals on Monday morning.

Tantri Kantaru Mohanaru assisted by Melshanti S. Sukumaran Namboodiri performed the rituals.

The ritual began with the sprinkling of `panchapunyahom' at the Sannidhanam and Malikappuram on Sunday evening. The `panchapunyahom' was prepared at the `sopanam' of the temple prior to its opening.

The `bimbashudhikriya' as part of the purification ritual also was held on Monday. Bimbashudhikriya includes `chaturshudhi,' `dhaara,' `panchakom,' and `panchagavyom' and the rituals that began at 8 a.m. concluded by 11.30 a.m.

The tantri performed the `panchagavya-abhishekom' on the Ayyappa idol prior to the `utcha puja'.

According to the tantri, the temple premises were desecrated by the presence of an assistant of the astrologer who conducted a `devaprasnom' at Sabarimala from June 16 to 19. The astrologer's assistant had entered the temple premises on June 16 disregarding the `pula' (defilement) following the death of his grandmother on June 11, violating the prevailing customs and tradition, the tantri said.

He said that the decision to conduct the purification ritual was taken after consulting various religious scholars.

`Sahsrakalasom'

A `sahasrakalasom' was performed at the temple prior to the `utcha puja' on Monday.

The tantri performed the `kalasa puja' at the northern mandapam of the temple on Sunday evening and the puja was completed with the `Brahmakalasa puja' on Monday.

The `sahasrakalasabhishekom' will be performed at the Ayyappa temple on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, according to Travancore Devaswom Board sources.

A `kalabhabhishekom' will be performed at the temple on Tuesday and Friday. The temple will be closed after the `athazha puja' on Friday.

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