Kerala - Kochi   

People throng Thrikkakara temple

KOCHI: Rain gods that threatened to disrupt celebrations at the Thrikkakara temple, seat of Mahabali legend, relented on the Thiruvonam day for day-long celebrations complete with the traditional feast for elephants and the sadya in which about 6,000 people participated.

The temple grounds were filled to capacity when ceremonies began early in the day. If rains on Sunday morning dampened the spirits a little, a clear sky on the culmination day allowed a full burst of tradition and piety as people thronged the temple to seek blessings and to participate in the feast.

Soon after the ceremonies, it was time for the ‘Anayoottu’ (feast for the elephants), which was served on the temple premises for the nine elephants that added grandeur to the festivities.

The key attraction among them was Mangalamkunnu Ayyappan. Mangalamkunnu Ganapati, Bastian Vinayashankar, Vellappally Kuttishankaran, Shenoy Chandrashekharan, Kiran Narayanakutty, Pallathamkulangara Gireesan, Volga Arunkumar and the Devaswom’s Sashi were among the other elephants that enjoyed the feast as spectators thronged the venue.

The ‘Onasadya’ was ready by about 10.30 a.m. thanks largely to people in large numbers who joined in its preparation voluntarily and also made contributions for the conduct of the feast.

With 510 people in each of the rounds, it took 12 rounds to complete the sadya just before 4 p.m. The sadya was served on the lobby and the central hall of Thiruvonam Hall as well as at a temporary shed erected fo r the purpose.

Long queues formed well ahead of the beginning of the sadya. Coupons were distributed to about 5,000 people and those who came later went through the queues.

Expenditure involved in the serving of the sadya, around Rs.1.75 lakh, was realised through sponsors and temple collections, the largest chunk of the contribution having come from a private company in the city. K. Babu and A.M. Yous ef, MLAs, were among those present at the festivities.

Curtains come down on the festivities with a fireworks display and dance concert by Kalamandalam Sugandhi in the evening.

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