Padi Pooja held at Sabarimala

PATHANAMTHITTA:  Padi pooja was held at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple for the first time during the on-going pilgrimage season on Tuesday.  The special ritual,  the pooja in the name of the 18 Hill Gods of Lord Ayyappa,  was conducted after Pushpabhishekam.   Thantri Kandararu Maheswararu performed the ritual in the presence of Melsanthi N  Balamurali.   The hour-long  ritual,  by decorating the Holy Steps with flowers and silk cloths after lighting traditional lamps on each step, concluded with performing “aarathi” by the thantri.  The darsan facilities for the pilgrims will be available till  11 pm on January 20. The procession carrying the Thiruvabharanam will begin its return journey from Sabarimala at 7 am on January 21.